Was in hospital

“Beating victim” takes charge of ÖFB match against Poland

Referee Halil Umut Meler takes charge of the match between Austria and Poland.(Bild: AFP/APA/Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV)

Austria's crucial European Championship group match against Poland in Berlin on Friday (6pm) will be refereed by Turkish referee Halil Umut Meler. He recently made a name for himself following an incident during a league match in Turkey. 

The 37-year-old from Izmir has already refereed Slovakia's surprise 1-0 win over Belgium at the current tournament. In December, Meler was beaten up on the pitch by a disgruntled club president during a league match in Turkey. As a result, the league was suspended for a week.

Umut Meler in hospital after the attack(Bild: AFP/APA/Turkish Ministry of Youth and Sports Press Office/Handout)

Ankaragücü president Faruk Koca had punched Meler in the face with his fist during the 1-1 draw between his club and Caykur Rizespor after the visitors had equalized late on. After the referee fell to the ground, other people rushed onto the pitch and kicked him. Meler was taken to hospital after the incident, which caused outrage around the world.

Also whistled for Salzburg matches
He suffered head trauma and injuries to his eye. Koca was arrested, spent two weeks in custody and was banned for life by the Turkish association.

Austria will face Poland on Friday.(Bild: AP/ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Meler was back in action a month after the assault. Salzburg have had good experiences with the referee in the European Cup so far. Austria's then serial champions won both of the two Champions League matches that the Turk has officiated - at home against OSC Lille (2:1) in September 2021 and away against Benfica Lisbon (2:0) in September 2023. In the surprise win in Lisbon nine months ago, Meler awarded Salzburg two penalties and sent off Benfica defender Antonio Silva early for handball.