FIFA President Gianni Infantino strongly condemned the assault on Turkish football referee Halil Umut Meler by Ankaragucu president Faruk Koca, deeming the attack “totally unacceptable.”

The Turkish football federation responded by suspending all leagues indefinitely following the violent incident that occurred after Monday’s 1-1 draw between Ankaragucu and Caykur Rizespor.

In a statement on social media, Infantino expressed his disapproval of the events, emphasizing that there is no place for violence in football, whether on or off the field.

He underscored the significance of ensuring the safety of referees, players, fans, and staff to maintain the integrity and enjoyment of the game.

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The FIFA chief stated, “Without match officials, there is no football,” urging relevant authorities to strictly implement and uphold safety measures at all levels of the sport.

Incident images from Monday night depicted Koca and a group rushing onto the pitch, with Koca physically assaulting Meler after the referee had blown the final whistle.

In response, a court has placed Koca and two others in pre-trial detention on charges of “injuring and threatening a public official.”