Ankaragücü President Faruk Koca hit referee Halil Umut Meler on the field after the Çaykur Rizespor match. The latest version of Halil Umut Meler.
Fucking disgraceful. Halil Umut Meler is being punched by @Ankaragucu’s president Faruk Koca and later kicked by some other whilst on the ground. Ban those son of bitches from football for life.
Turkish referee Halil Umut Meler is set to officiate the crucial Champions League clash between Real Madrid and Braga, where Los Blancos aim to secure their spot in the last 16 with two group-stage games to spare.
Real Madrid needs just a win or a draw against Braga to confirm their qualification, following their 2-1 victory over the Portuguese side two weeks ago. FIFA-listed referee Meler, who made his Champions League debut in December 2020, will oversee his ninth match in the competition.
Meler’s Champions League season has already featured notable moments, including awarding two penalties and a red card in RB Salzburg’s 2-0 victory over Benfica. Although he hasn’t officiated beyond the last 16 in the Champions League, Meler has handled matches in the later stages of the Europa League and Europa Conference League.
Massimiliano Irrati from Italy will serve as the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), and Turkey’s Alper Ulusoy will be the assistant VAR for the match.
This encounter between Real Madrid and Braga is scheduled for Wednesday, November 8, 2023, at the Santiago Bernabéu, with kick-off at 3 pm ET/12 noon PT. In the US, the game will be broadcast on ViX and Paramount+, and viewers can also catch it on the online platform fuboTV, which offers a free trial.
