Rangers defender Ridvan Yilmaz has been left outraged after Turkish football was suspended in the aftermath of a punch knocking out a referee.
As Scottish whistlers are subjected to daily analysis and howls of conspiracy, at least they’re not being lamped on the pitch as happened in Ankara.
After Super Lig side MKE Ankaragucu – who had earlier been reduced to 10 men – conceded a 97th minute equaliser to Caykur Rizespor all hell broke loose on the field.
Ankaragucu President Faruk Koca ran onto the pitch and punched referee Halil Umut Meler, sending the whistler to the deck.
Since then, Turkey’s actual President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has suspended the national game with the referee hospitalised and Ankaragucu president Faruk Koca arrested.
Turkish FA chairman Mehmet Buyukeksi described the incident as a “night of shame for Turkish football” with matches suspended indefinitely as a result.
Ridvan Yilmaz brands referee punch “unacceptable”
Rangers star Ridvan Yilmaz, who came through the ranks at Istanbul side Besiktas before moving to Ibrox in 2022, has condemned the assault on the referee.
Taking to social media platform X in response to what is a dark day for Turkish football, Ridvan Yilmaz has categorically stated his disgust at what he brands an “unacceptable” incident.
“What happened is unacceptable,” Ridvan Yilmaz said.
Ridvan Yilmaz, 22, has six caps for the Turkey national team and remains very highly-thought of in the European/Asian nation’s game.
This includes in the often sensationalist Turkish media, who continue to link Ridvan Yilmaz with a return to the country amid a lack of appearances for Rangers.
Rangers conspiracies fuel the fire
As the world reacts to the shocking images coming out of Turkey, it has sent a shockwave reminder about the culture surrounding referees at the top level.
Since the adoption of VAR the game has been under even greater scrutiny with the whistlers front and centre of the headlines across Europe and the world.
With tensions running high at the top of the English Premier League, we’re seeing almost weekly fall-outs surrounding decisions and incensed manager reactions.
In Scotland, the Rangers conspiracists are being louder than usual given the Ibrox side’s resurgence and Celtic’s nervous performances.
But at a time when referees have been cast further into the spotlight, the incident in Turkey is a reminder that there is a massive line that is being crossed with the aggression being cast in their direction.
Ridvan Yilmaz has looked back at the referee situation in Turkey with embarrassment, and perhaps it’s times some in British football did the same.
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