Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, who visited referee Halil Umut Meler after he was subjected to an attack following the Ankaragücü - Rizespor match in the Süper Lig, received information about his health status from officials at Acıbadem Ankara Hospital, where Meler is receiving treatment.
Regarding whether the detention process would continue, Yerlikaya said in his statement, "The footage is being examined. If the matter contains other findings that constitute a crime, the necessary actions will certainly be taken." Regarding the condition of referee Umut Meler, he used the following expressions:
"He is deeply saddened, but he has a strong personality. We all need to support him and Turkish referees so that this incident is treated as if it never happened. We can all make mistakes, but is violence the way to ensure our mistakes are not repeated? No."
"OUR WISH IS THAT SPORTS ARE NEVER ASSOCIATED WITH VIOLENCE"
Yerlikaya also stated the following: "I just visited our esteemed referee and conveyed my get-well wishes. I also conveyed my get-well wishes to his fellow referees who were on duty at the match. Our wish is that sports are never associated with violence in any way. Do we deserve to experience such incidents in the world's most popular sport? No, we do not. The matter is currently in court. The judicial process is ongoing, and we believe in the manifestation of justice. Our President called during our visit to our referee to convey his get-well wishes, stated that he is following the process closely, and expressed his condemnation. He also received information about our referee's condition."
Meanwhile, Turkish Football Federation (TFF) President Mehmet Büyükekşi, Central Referee Board (MHK) President Ahmet İbanoğlu, and TFF executives also came to the hospital to show their support.
News Source : 12punto
