A Super Lig match between Ankaragucu and Rizespor in Turkey ended in turmoil as tensions flared after the two sides shared spoils.
The president of a top-flight Turkish football club sparked fury after running onto the pitch following a draw and punching a referee in the face - with the domestic game in the country in turmoil after the Super Lig was suspended indefinitely.
In shocking scenes that have been condemned by the country's president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Ankaragucu president Faruk Koca launched a vicious attack on match official Halil Umut Meler moments after his side drew 1-1 against Rizespor.
Abhorrent images show Koca's fist connecting with the referee's cheek just beneath his left eye, sending the official falling to the ground.
Others then laid into him with a series of kicks as he curled up on the ground covering his face.
A large crowd of players, coaching staff and security were quick to race to the scene and stop the attack, with the shaken Meler eventually helped to his feet. After being led away, he was seen sporting a swollen eye.
The scenes were captured from multiple angles by photographers and on the live broadcast of the Turkish Super Lig match - the top flight of Turkish football.
The match finished 1-1 after Rizespor netted a last-gasp equaliser against Ankaragucu, who had been poised to win the match having scored an early opening goal.
However, the goal in the 97th minute of the 98-minute match saw the clash conclude in a draw - moments before the shocking twist of violence.
It is not known when matches in the division will resume.
A judicial investigation has been launched 'against those responsible' for the unprovoked assault, according to Turkey's Minister of Justice, Yilmaz Tunc.
The president of a top-flight Turkish football club sparked fury after running onto the pitch following a draw and punching a referee in the face - with the domestic game in the country in turmoil after the Super Lig was suspended indefinitely.
In shocking scenes that have been condemned by the country's president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Ankaragucu president Faruk Koca launched a vicious attack on match official Halil Umut Meler moments after his side drew 1-1 against Rizespor.
Abhorrent images show Koca's fist connecting with the referee's cheek just beneath his left eye, sending the official falling to the ground.
Others then laid into him with a series of kicks as he curled up on the ground covering his face.
A large crowd of players, coaching staff and security were quick to race to the scene and stop the attack, with the shaken Meler eventually helped to his feet. After being led away, he was seen sporting a swollen eye.
The scenes were captured from multiple angles by photographers and on the live broadcast of the Turkish Super Lig match - the top flight of Turkish football.
The match finished 1-1 after Rizespor netted a last-gasp equaliser against Ankaragucu, who had been poised to win the match having scored an early opening goal.
However, the goal in the 97th minute of the 98-minute match saw the clash conclude in a draw - moments before the shocking twist of violence.
It is not known when matches in the division will resume.
A judicial investigation has been launched 'against those responsible' for the unprovoked assault, according to Turkey's Minister of Justice, Yilmaz Tunc.