Halil Umut Meler has broken his silence after a brutal assault by Ankaragucu president Faruk Koca.
Faruk Koca sparked a global outrage after a viral footage of him assaulting Halil Umut Meler surfaced online.
Koca was reportedly furious with Halil Umut Meler for allowing a lengthy additional time which led to Rizespor netting a late 97th minute equaliser against his team Ankaragucu in a Super Lig match.
After Halil Umut Meler blew the final whistle, Faruk Koca lost his cool, lurched forward with fury, and punched Halil Umut Meler repeatedly in the face before having him fell and curled up on the ground.
While on the ground, some Ankaragucu players could be seen joining the mass assault, kicking Halil Umut Meler in the face before the latter was rescued by other officials.
Up from the ground, Halil Umut's face was swollen with bruises. He had to be hospitalized immediately while Faruk Koca was arrested.
Turkish football authorities suspended all Super Lig matches due to the incident with Turkey president Tayyip Erdogan and FIFA president Gianni Infantino expressing their solidarity with Halil while condemning the assault.
After being discharged on Wednesday, Halil spoke to reporters, with Spor Arena reporting he said: "There is no problem with my health."
Asked if he would continue refereeing, he added: "They called me from UEFA. I will explain these issues later.
"There is no situation at the moment, everything is possible. I just want to go home and rest."
According to reports, Faruk Koca faces a possible ban, imprisonment, or fine for his assault on Halil Umut Meler.
It is still unclear whether Ankaragucu players who joined the assault have been arrested but it is expected justice must be duly served as a deterrent to others.
It is believed Faruk Koca must have blamed Halil Umut Meler for aiding Rizespor's equaliser with his lengthy additional time.
Lengthy additional time in football started in 2022 World Cup to curb unnecessary and intentional delays during matches.
It has been adopted across top leagues in Europe, including Turkey Super Lig.
Faruk Koca sparked a global outrage after a viral footage of him assaulting Halil Umut Meler surfaced online.
Koca was reportedly furious with Halil Umut Meler for allowing a lengthy additional time which led to Rizespor netting a late 97th minute equaliser against his team Ankaragucu in a Super Lig match.
After Halil Umut Meler blew the final whistle, Faruk Koca lost his cool, lurched forward with fury, and punched Halil Umut Meler repeatedly in the face before having him fell and curled up on the ground.
While on the ground, some Ankaragucu players could be seen joining the mass assault, kicking Halil Umut Meler in the face before the latter was rescued by other officials.
Up from the ground, Halil Umut's face was swollen with bruises. He had to be hospitalized immediately while Faruk Koca was arrested.
Turkish football authorities suspended all Super Lig matches due to the incident with Turkey president Tayyip Erdogan and FIFA president Gianni Infantino expressing their solidarity with Halil while condemning the assault.
After being discharged on Wednesday, Halil spoke to reporters, with Spor Arena reporting he said: "There is no problem with my health."
Asked if he would continue refereeing, he added: "They called me from UEFA. I will explain these issues later.
"There is no situation at the moment, everything is possible. I just want to go home and rest."
According to reports, Faruk Koca faces a possible ban, imprisonment, or fine for his assault on Halil Umut Meler.
It is still unclear whether Ankaragucu players who joined the assault have been arrested but it is expected justice must be duly served as a deterrent to others.
It is believed Faruk Koca must have blamed Halil Umut Meler for aiding Rizespor's equaliser with his lengthy additional time.
Lengthy additional time in football started in 2022 World Cup to curb unnecessary and intentional delays during matches.
It has been adopted across top leagues in Europe, including Turkey Super Lig.