TC MATCH REF ATTACK PROBE
INCIDENT DESCRIBED AS ‘WORST ASSAULT ON AN OFFICIAL ON BRITISH SOIL’
AN ATTACK on a referee during a game between Turkish and Turkish Cypriot football teams in London, described as the “worst assault on a match official on British soil”, has shocked the sporting community in both the UK and North Cyprus — just days before the TRNC national side is due to play in the Confederation of Football Associations (Conifa) World Football Cup.
The incident happened on Sunday when Turkish Cypriot team Dumlupınar Yeni Malatyaspor beat GS FC, a mixed Turkish and Turkish Cypriot team, 2-1 in Tottenham, north London.
Video footage showed crowds invading the pitch after the final whistle and kicking a man believed to be referee Fernando Lopez as he lay on the ground. He was said to have suffered only minor injuries. Police are investigating.
Film of the incident was sent to charity Ref Support as part of its Referee Abuse Must Stop campaign, and executive Martin Cassidy said: “This is the worst assault on a match official we have seen on British soil.”
Statements from the London and English Football Associations and the Turkish Cypriot-run Turkish Community Football Federation (TCFF) condemned the incident. TCFF vice-chairman Mehmet Elitok told Cyprus Today: “We are horrified at what has happened and are interviewing eye witnesses to find out what happened.
“We are trying to find out whether the suspects were from the outside, players or fans.”
Asked whether this would tarnish the image of Turkish Cypriot football ahead of the Conifa tournament in London, he said: “Absolutely no way. Turkish Cypriots love sport and not hooliganism.”
Another TCFF source, who asked not to be named, disputed the “worst attack on British soil” tag, saying media reports had been “exaggerated” and adding: “Turkish Cypriots will prove to the UK their peacefulness in the Conifa tournament when we go to support the TRNC national team.”
Conifa executive member and Cyprus Turkish Football Association (KTFF) acting head Orçun Kamalı, said: “We need to change a negative into a positive. The Turkish Cypriot image is important. Now our fans and players must show their sportsmanship and peacefulness in the tournament.”