Feb 18 • 17:08 UTC 🇶🇦 Qatar Al Jazeera

Video: Fan throws scooter at referee who disallowed a goal for offside

A referee was attacked by a fan during a Turkish amateur league match after he ruled a last-minute goal offside, leading to the match's cancellation.

During a heated amateur league match in Malatya, Turkey, an assistant referee, Hakan Başkurt, was violently assaulted by a fan who threw a scooter at him when he disallowed a goal for offside. This incident occurred just before the match was set to conclude, with the goal in question coming from the home team, Darende Spor, in the 87th minute of play. The referee's decision to flag the goal as offside resulted in a draw ending the game at 1-1, which infuriated local supporters.

The unfortunate incident escalated quickly as the fan, upset with the referee's call, launched the electric scooter from the stands, hitting Başkurt on the head. The impact was severe enough to render the assistant referee unconscious for a brief period. Medical staff at the scene promptly attended to him and reported that he sustained a deep cut above his left eyebrow. Subsequently, he was transported to the hospital for further medical evaluation and care.

This shocking episode serves as a reminder of the volatile nature of sports fandom and the potential for violence in amateur leagues. As incidents of aggression towards officials continue to emerge, it raises crucial questions about the safety of referees in competitive sporting events and the measures needed to prevent such occurrences in the future. The Turkish Football Federation will likely conduct an investigation, and this incident may lead to intensified discussions on fan conduct and regulatory policies within amateur sports.

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