Turkish Basketball Federation protests assault on football referee / News - Basketnews.com

The Turkish Basketball Federation has announced that all of its referees will wear a black ribbon to protest the recent act of violence against Halil Umut Meler, the Turkish football referee whom a club president assaulted.

Credit: Mehmet Eser/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images Credit Mehmet Eser/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

The Turkish Basketball Federation (TBF) will implement a measure to protest the recent assault on Halil Umut Meler, a Turkish football referee who was punched in the face by the president of Ankaragucu, a club in the Super Lig.

The incident has provoked widespread reactions throughout the Turkish sports community, and many basketball clubs have issued condemnations. Now, the Turkish Basketball Federation has joined the backlash.

According to an announcement by the TBF, all basketball referees will have black ribbons on them for this week's game in all Turkish basketball leagues to protest the violence against Halil Umut Meler.

Meler was assaulted in the Ankaragucu-Rizespor game because of his supposedly "biased" officiating. He was targeted by Ankaragucu's coach, and then he was punched by the club's president.

The incident has led to a standstill in Turkish football, with all competitions being delayed until December 19 as all referees have unanimously decided not to officiate until concrete actions are taken.

FULL TBF ANNOUNCEMENT

"As the Turkish Basketball Federation, our referees will don black ribbons in this week's basketball competitions to condemn the ugly attack on Halil Umut Meler and to emphasize the unity and solidarity of our referees against violence.

On this occasion, we once again condemn the ugly attack on referee Halil Umut Meler and wish an end to such incidents that are not compatible with sports.

Turkish Basketball Federation"

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