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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Referee attacked during match</li><li>Super Lig postponed after incident</li><li>Games will now resume on December 19</li></ul>

Super Lig referee punched in the face by Ankaragucu president released from hospital with eye fracture as date set for return of Turkish top flight

Super Lig

Eyupspor

Rizespor

1. Lig

Genclerbirligi

Ankaragucu

Meler was taken to hospital for treatment on an eye fracture after he was attacked by MKE Ankaragucu president Faruk Koca after his team’s match against Caykur Rizespor. The <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/watch-turkey-super-lig-referee-punched-face-ankaragucu-president-kicked-head-rizespor/blt594d51c22b5e428e#cs954aa998c52d8248" target="_blank">match official was punched to the ground and kicked</a> while he lay on the turf at the end of the game. Turkish Football Federation (TFF) president Mehmet Buyukeksi subsequently visited Meler in hospital, while the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/turkish-super-lig-postponed-indefinitely-mke-ankaragucu-president-punch-referee-halil-umut-meler-hospital-treatment/blt7b8bac1c24096946" target="_blank">Turkish Super Lig was postponed indefinitely</a> in the wake of the attack and Koca was subsequently arrested. Meler has now been pictured leaving hospital in Ankara and a date has been set for the competition to resume.

WHAT HAPPENED?

The Turkish Football Federation confirmed at a press conference on Wednesday that all leagues will now resume on December 19 after a one-week pause. Buyukeksi also announced that a decision would be made on the status of Ankaragucu on Thursday.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

The federation’s chairman said: "We will never allow attacks or disproportionate pressure on our referees. This incident needs to become a milestone, a turning point for Turkish football.”

WHAT BUYUKEKSI SAID

Games are set to resume in the Turkish top flight shortly but there will be further ramifications of the attack. The Turkish federation have said Meler will not be quitting refereeing despite the attack. The federation has also vowed that all those involved in the attack on Meler will be "punished in the strongest terms possible".

WHAT NEXT?

Super Lig referee punched in the face by Ankaragucu president released from hospital with eye fracture as date set for return of Turkish top flight | Goal.com

Referee Halil Umut Meler has left hospital after being treated for an eye fracture sustained when he was punched in the face during a Super Lig game.