The Turkish Super Lig has become embroiled in controversy AGAIN – just a week after a referee was punched in the face and all matches suspended.
Istanbulspor were drawing 1-1 with Trabzonspor when they had appeals for a penalty waved away by the referee in the 73rd minute, only for their opposition to go up the other end and score to take the lead. Istanbulspor president Faik Sarialioglu was incandescent with rage at the officials for failing to award his side a spot-kick and promptly ordered his players off the field.
Sarialioglu was furious Batista Mendy's challenge on Florian Loshaj had not been punished. When ex-Southampton striker Paul Onuachu then put Trabzonpor ahead, Sarialioglu had seen enough, but even his own player, Simon Deli, who is only on loan from fellow Super Lig club Adana Demirspor, was on his knees begging the president not to take the team off, while others were also protesting.
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The match was suspended, with Istanbulspor still rooted to the bottom of the table and just one win in their eight games. "It is a sad day for football. We will wait for the football federation's decision from now on," Trabzonspor coach Abdullah Avci said.
It was the first night Turkish football had gone ahead since its temporary suspension following the remarkable incident last week when Ankaragucu president Faruk Koca punched referee Halil Umut Meler in the face. Koca was angered after his side conceded a late equaliser to draw 1-1 with Rizespor after both teams had a player sent off during the match.
Meler was floored by Koca's punch before he was also kicked in the head twice amidst a chaotic melee on the pitch. Koca was arrested following the incident and has since been permanently banned from football, while two other suspects were arrested on suspicion of kicking Meler, who fortunately emerged from the incident with only minor injuries after being treated in hospital.
The Turkish Football Federation condemned the attack and fined Ankaragucu two million lira (ยฃ54,000) and ordered them to play five home matches behind closed doors without fans. Koca had resigned immediately after the incident, prior to being banned.
He admitted he was "embarrassed" and "saddened" by his conduct, adding in a statement: "Nothing can legitimise or explain the violence that I committed."
FIFA president Gianni Infantino also weighed in on the episode, declaring: "Enough is enough and this has to stop. I was shocked when I saw the images like everyone else. You can be excited at a match and you can feel for a team but there is no way we can accept anything like that to happen."
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