Revealed: Referee who was PUNCHED by a club president and left hospitalised with a neck brace is set to take charge of England's last-16 clash against Slovakia at Euro 2024

29/06/2024

LISTEN to It's All Kicking Off! EUROS DAILY: Should Jude Bellingham be dropped by Gareth Southgate? England are set to take on Slovakia in their last-16 tie at Euro 2024 on Sunday Referee Halil Umut Meler will take charge of the fixture at the Arena AufSchalke

A Turkish referee who was punched by a club president and left hospitalised by the attack will take charge of England's last-16 clash with Slovakia on Sunday.

The Three Lions will be hoping to prove their doubters wrong when they face FIFA's 45th ranked team at the Arena AufSchalke, after a shaky start to their campaign.

With two draws and one win from their opening three games, Gareth Southgate's side will be hoping for an emphatic performance on the night.

And the man taking charge of the match will be Turkish referee Halil Umut Meler who, back in December, was brutally attacked during a 'night of shame'.

Six months ago, Turkish football descended into chaos when MKE Ankaragucu president Faruk Koca launched the vicious attack on referee Meler after his side drew 1-1 against Caykur Rizespor in the Super Lig.

Turkish referee Halil Umut Meler - who was punched by a club president and then kicked in the head on the ground - will take charge of England's last-16 clash against Slovakia on Sunday

In December, Meler was sent crashing to the ground after the punch and sustained a black eye

The Three Lions will be looking to produce a dominant display after an underwhelming start

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Abhorrent images showed Koca's fist connecting with the referee's cheek just beneath his left eye, sending the official falling to the ground.

Others then laid into him with a series of kicks as he curled up on the ground covering his face.

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The referee left the pitch and said 'it's my fault' as he was escorted away by riot cops, before the country's Football Federation shut down the entire league.

Meler was later pictured battered, bruised and wearing a neck brace in hospital but following a series of additional tests, he was discharged one day later.

The Turkish football federation's disciplinary board also ordered Ankaragucu to play five home matches behind closed doors and fined the club 60,000 euros ($66,000).

FIFA president Gianni Infantino slammed the incident claiming it was 'totally unnacceptable', while president Koca spoke out to defend himself claiming that the official had 'thrown himself to the ground'.

Turkish President Erdogan also condemned the attack. 'Sports means peace and brotherhood. The sport is incompatible with violence. We will never allow violence to take place in Turkish sports,' he wrote on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

Meler had been visited by Turkey's interior minister Ali Yerlikaya before being discharged

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After the attack took place, the Turkish Football Federation had held an emergency meeting to discuss the violence, with Mehmet Buykeksi, the organisation's chief, stating the incident was 'shameful'.

'This attack is unfortunate and shameful in the name of football,' federation chief Mehmet Buyukeksi said after the meeting.

Disgraceful scenes as referee in Turkish top-flight football match is BATTERED by home team's President - after rivals score 97th minute equaliser

'We say enough is enough,' he added. 'Everyone who has targeted referees and encouraged them to commit crimes is complicit in this despicable attack,' he said.

'The irresponsible statements of club presidents, managers, coaches and television commentators targeting referees have opened the way for this attack.'

Koca, who has been the president of Ankaragucu since 2021, then confirmed his resignation in a statement on the club's website, just days later.

The 59-year-old admitted he felt 'great embarrassment' for his actions and was stepping down to 'prevent any further harm' to the club.

'I would like to announce to the public that I have resigned from the MKE Ankaragucu Presidency in order to prevent any further harm to the Ankaragucu club, Ankaragucu fans, the community I am in and my family,' Koca said.

'I hope that this incident, which I, more than anyone else, cannot accept, will be a reason for our sports life, especially our football community, to be purified from mistakes, shortcomings and the culture of violence.

'At the same time, I hope that the structural problems of Turkish football will be discussed more realistically due to this grave incident that I caused.

Less than two days after the incident, Meler was released from Ankara hospital and spoke to reporters to tell them that he was okay despite sporting several bruises

'I would like to take this opportunity to apologize again to everyone I have upset, especially Ankaragucu fans.

'I would like it to be known that I am deeply saddened that both the club I manage, the football community, and our country are remembered with such an event and image.'

All leagues in Turkey were suspended but resumed after a one-week hiatus.

Meler has officiated in the Super Lig since 2015 and oversees international games.