Belgium and Slovakia are set to face off in an upcoming match, with Turkish referee Halil Umut Meler appointed to officiate the encounter. This will be the fourth meeting between the two teams, with their last match taking place in 2013, resulting in a 2-1 home win for Belgium. The two previous encounters ended in 1-1 draws.
Meler will be joined by Emre Eyisoy and Kerem Ersoy as his assistant referees, while Bastian Dankert will serve as the VAR referee.
Meler’s name gained notoriety last year after he was punched and knocked out by Faruk Koca, the president of Turkish football club MKE Ankaragucu in the Super Lig. The incident occurred during a heated exchange after a match. Despite this past incident, Meler has continued his career as a respected referee in Turkish football.
The upcoming match between Belgium and Slovakia is sure to be a competitive affair, with both teams eager for a positive result. Meler’s experience and reputation make him a suitable choice to officiate this important match, though his past incident with the Turkish club president adds an interesting layer to the story.
