Tuncay Şanlı: 'Sanctions should be more severe'

Sakaryaspor Manager Tuncay Şanlı commented on the attack on referee Halil Umut Meler during the Trendyol Super League match between MKE Ankaragücü and Çaykur Rizespor, saying, "All stakeholders are to blame. I hope these sanctions will be more severe."

Speaking to reporters at the Rüstemler Facilities, Şanlı condemned the attack on referee Meler.

"Unfortunately, we cannot talk about football. As I have stated before, we are always talking about referees and interpreting things through the lens of the referee, but we do not blame ourselves, and the authorities do not blame themselves," said Şanlı, adding the following:

"There is no point in talking about football. We have seriously disgraced ourselves; it was not becoming at all. Just as we, as managers and players, can make mistakes, the referee is also human and can make mistakes. All stakeholders are to blame. I hope these sanctions will be more severe. We condemn it, but as with every time we condemn something, we unfortunately cannot achieve results; we only talk. We do not take action; I hope this time action will be taken."

Meanwhile, in the training session held at the Rüstemler Facilities under the management of manager Şanlı, Sakaryaspor players performed passing drills following dynamic warm-up exercises.

The green-and-blacks will continue their preparations with a training session on Wednesday.