New footage of Halil Umut Meler and Emre Belözoğlu emerges: 'Attempts are being made to drag him into the events'

Referee Halil Umut Meler, who was subjected to a physical assault by former Ankaragücü president Faruk Koca, claimed that "Emre Belözoğlu planned and provoked it. He did not apologize to me." Ankaragücü manager Emre Belözoğlu responded to these allegations by saying, "When I heard about the incident, I went onto the pitch and hugged Halil Umut Meler. I apologized to him three times in the corridor for what happened. Later, I called him, but since he was resting, I spoke with his assistant referee."

"I WILL MAKE THE NECESSARY STATEMENTS TOMORROW"

Speaking to Haber Global, Belözoğlu continued his remarks as follows:

"The assistant referee also told me, 'I am a witness; you came to us in the corridor and supported us. You also reacted to those who were hitting him on the ground, shouting, 'Where is your manhood?' He also thanked me. I will make the necessary statements tomorrow after our match."

OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM ANKARAGÜCÜ

A response to referee Halil Umut Meler's allegations that "Emre Belözoğlu planned and provoked it. He did not apologize to me" regarding the attack on him also came from Ankaragücü Press Spokesperson Hüseyin Aytekin.

Aytekin, who responded to Meler after Ankaragücü manager Emre Belözoğlu, noted in his written statement that the events that took place at the end of the Çaykur Rizespor match are being investigated by the judicial authorities and the boards of the Turkish Football Federation, stating the following: 

"The necessary referrals regarding those responsible have been made, and a decision has been reached by the PFDK (Professional Football Discipline Committee). Our club will exercise its right to appeal the PFDK decisions to the Arbitration Committee. As the MKE Ankaragücü Club, we are following with sadness the persistent attempts to drag our manager, Emre Belözoğlu, into the events that took place."

HE APOLOGIZED IN THE DRESSING ROOM CORRIDOR

Aytekin, who argued that Belözoğlu is being 'dragged into the events,' stated the following in his announcement:

"Our manager, Emre Belözoğlu, whose name does not appear in the events in the referee and representative reports, apologized to referee Halil Umut Meler multiple times on the pitch and in the corridors, expressing his sorrow. I invite everyone who is trying to create a perception based on an interview given years ago, in the face of our manager's constructive attitude, to use common sense on behalf of Turkish football, which is in a chaotic environment. This is not a time for settling scores over grievances, but a time to lead Turkish football out of this crisis environment in unity."