Turkish Soccer Matches Suspended as Club President Assaults Referee

The Turkish Football Federation has suspended all league games in the country after MKE Ankaragucu president Faruk Koca punched referee Halil Umut Meler in the face at the end of a top-flight match. The attack occurred after fans invaded the pitch following a last-minute equalizer. The federation condemned the violence and blamed it on a culture of contempt toward referees in Turkey. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also condemned the attack. Koca, who has heart problems, was hospitalized and will be taken into custody after treatment. Two others involved in the attack were detained for questioning.