Ugly scenes unfolded on Monday night as Turkish Super Lig referee Halil Umut Meler was punched in the face by Ankaragucu club president Faruk Koca.
Overseeing Ankaragucu and Rizespor's clash, which ended 1-1 after a late stoppage time equaliser, both sides finished the game with 10 men on the pitch in what proved to be a heated affair. But disgraceful scenes then saw Koca brutally punch Meler in the face, before the official was then kicked by other while on the floor.
Players and coaches from both teams rushed over to prevent further harm, with Meler able to get to his feet. However, the ref, who is also a Champions League official, was seen sporting a nasty black eye as he was escorted off the pitch following the shocking scenes.
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The 37-year-old official is one of Europe's top officials, having officiated Champions League, Europa League, Turkish Super Lig and Saudi Pro League games this season alone. He has also been the man in the middle for a number of European Championship qualifiers too.
This season, Meler has refereed three Champions League ties, which include Real Madrid's 3-0 group stage win over Braga at the Bernabeu in a game that saw him dish out just one yellow card to Spanish full-back Lucas Vasquez.
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But, in his other games, Meler has been more than happy to brandish a yellow. In his other two Champions League ties this term, Benfica v Salzburg and Celtic v Lazio, Meler awarded a whopping seven bookings in both games.
However, the 15 cards he has handed out in the Champions League pale in comparison to bookings he has dished out in the Turkish Super Lig this season.
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In just eight games this season, Meler has awarded 50 yellow cards, three which turned into double booking red cards, and one straight red. He is not scheduled to be in action in Europe this week, while it remains to be seen when he will return to duty in the Turkish Super Lig.
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