Super Lig referee punched in the face by Ankaragucu president released from hospital with eye fracture as date set for return of Turkish top flight

Meler was taken to hospital for treatment on an eye fracture after he was attacked by MKE Ankaragucu president Faruk Koca after his team’s match against Caykur Rizespor. The match official was punched to the ground and kicked while he lay on the turf at the end of the game.Turkish Football Federation (TFF) president Mehmet Buyukeksi subsequently visited Meler in hospital, while the Turkish Super Lig was postponed indefinitely in the wake of the attack and Koca was subsequently arrested. Meler has now been pictured leaving hospital in Ankara and a date has been set for the competition to resume.

The Turkish Football Federation confirmed at a press conference on Wednesday that all leagues will now resume on December 19 after a one-week pause. Buyukeksi also announced that a decision would be made on the status of Ankaragucu on Thursday.

The federation’s chairman said: "We will never allow attacks or disproportionate pressure on our referees. This incident needs to become a milestone, a turning point for Turkish football.”

Games are set to resume in the Turkish top flight shortly but there will be further ramifications of the attack. The Turkish federation have said Meler will not be quitting refereeing despite the attack. The federation has also vowed that all those involved in the attack on Meler will be "punished in the strongest terms possible".