The Turkish Super Lig was thrown into chaos on Monday night after an unprecedented assault on the referee by the president of one of the teams.

Ankaragucu’s president, Faruk Koca, violently punched referee Halil Umut Meler in the face after a 97th-minute equalizer by Rizespor, sparking a brawl that has led to the immediate suspension of the league.

Koca stormed onto the pitch at the final whistle and attacked Meler, who had previously sent off one player from each side during the game. 

The incident quickly escalated, with Meler being kicked in the face while on the ground. Both he and Koca were taken to hospital, with Koca expected to be detained after treatment.

The shocking violence reached the highest levels of Turkish politics, with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan publicly condemning the attack. “Sports means peace and brotherhood,” he declared. “We will never allow violence to take place in Turkish sports.”

The Turkish Football Association swiftly responded by suspending the Super Lig indefinitely, demonstrating zero tolerance for such behavior. 

Meler, a highly-respected official with experience in the Champions League and West Ham’s Conference League semi-final, has received widespread support from the football community.

Rizespor issued a strong statement condemning the incident and wishing Meler a speedy recovery. Ankaragucu, while offering apologies, acknowledged the “sad incident” and the damage it has inflicted on the sport

“We strongly condemn the undesirable events that occurred after the Ankaragucu match we played today. “We wish for the referee of the match, Halil Umut Meler, to get well soon.”

“We are saddened by the incident that took place this evening,” said a club statement from Ankaragucu. “We apologise to the Turkish football public and the entire sporting community for the sad incident that occurred after the match,” the statement reads