Who is Halil Umut Meler? Meet the Turkish referee officiating at Euro 2024

TURKISH League referee Halil Umut Meler is officiating at the 2024 UEFA Euros.

Here is everything you need to know about the football referee.

Referee Halil Umut Meler was hit by Faruk Koca on Monday, December 11REUTERS/Alberto Lingria

Who is Halil Umut Meler?

Halil Umut Meler is a Turkish football referee.

Meler was born on August 1, 1986 in Izmir, Turkey.

Together with his wife, he has one child, born in 2023.

He has been listed with FIFA since 2017 and in 2022 became a member of the UEFA Elite.

What happened to Halil Umut Meler?

In December 2023 referee Meler was punched by Faruk Koca.

Meler was confronted by Koca, the president of Ankaragucu, shortly after Ankaragucu’s 1-1 draw with Rizespor in the Turkish Super Lig on Monday, December 11.

Footage shows Koca swinging and hitting the unsuspecting official after invading the pitch at full-time.

After being struck, Meler fell to the floor and was then, horrifically, kicked by another person while protecting his face.

This person has remained unidentified.

Meler was then helped to his feet by a group of players, coaching staff and security who had raced to the scene.

He was taken away to the changing rooms to safety.

A huge black eye was already visible as he made his way off the pitch after the incident.

Various media outlets have reported that he went to hospital for treatment for his injuries.

All Turkish matches in all leagues were indefinitely suspended as a result of the violence.

The Turkish Football Federation said it condemned the “inhumane and despicable” attack on Meler.

In a statement released a number of hours after the incident, the federation said: “We are following Halil Umut Meler’s health condition closely and wish a speedy recovery to our valuable referee.

“This inhumane and despicable attack was made against all stakeholders of Turkish Football. Everyone who has targeted referees and encouraged crimes against referees is complicit in this despicable crime.

“The irresponsible statements of club presidents, managers, coaches and TV commentators targeting referees have paved the way for this vile attack today.

“In coordination with our state, all criminal proceedings deserved have been initiated against those responsible and instigators of this inhumane attack.

“The responsible club, the club president, its managers and all the criminals who attacked Halil Umut Meler will be punished in the most severe way.

“By the decision of the Turkish Football Federation Board of Directors, matches in all leagues have been postponed indefinitely.”

FIFA President Gianni Infantino released his own statement, saying: “There is absolutely no place for violence in football, on or off the field.

“Events following the Turkish Super Lig match between MKE Ankaragucu and Çaykur Rizespor are totally unacceptable and have no place in our sport or society.”

Who is Faruk Koca?

Koca is a Turkish politician , businessman and sports manager.

He has been the president of Ankaragucu since 2021 and was awarded the Fair Play manager of the month award in October 2022. 

Shortly after the incident, Turkish outlet Hurriyet reported that Koca would be detained for hitting Meler.

The following day, December 12, Sky Sports reported that a Turkish court had ordered the arrest of Koca.

Two other suspects were also reportedly remanded in custody over the violence.

Turkey’s justice minister Yilmaz Tunc then revealed on social media that Koca and two others had been formally arrested for “injuring a public official” after giving statements to prosecutors.

Posting on X, formerly known as Twitter, Tunc added: “The investigation is continuing meticulously”.

Has Halil Umut Meler officiated at major tournaments before?

Meler has officiated major tournaments before, such as:

2017-2018 UEFA Europa League

2020-2021 UEFA Champions League

2022-2023 UEFA Europa Conference League

2023-2024 UEFA Europa League

2024 UEFA Euro Qualifying

In April 2024 he was selected to officiate at the UEFA Euro 2024 in Germany.

What else has Halil Umut Meler done before?

Meler officated 171 matches for the Turkish League from the 2015/16 season to the 2023/24 season.

He refereed 49 matches for major tournaments in Europe.

Has Halil Umut Meler used VAR before?

Halil Umut Meler has used VAR before.

VAR was introduced in the 2018/19 season in the Turkish League, where Meler is refereeing.

In April 2024 the Turkish Super Lig announced that they appoint foreign assistant referees for important matches until the end of the season after there were claims of bias.

Officials are from Italy, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands and Portugal.