Referee Umut Meler’s performance in the Conference League semi-final analyzed by X-ray, the Turkish whistle warned 6 players plus the Italian
Turkish, born in 1986, referee Halil Umut Meler, designated by UEFA for Fiorentina-Brugge, already boasted 11 appearances as first referee in the Europa League and 10 in the Champions League. From his instructions we can see that he is a referee inclined to the yellow card but he is also remembered for a very unpleasant episode which occurred in December last year in his homeland, when he was attacked with kicks and punches at the end of the match between the hosts Ankaragucu and Rizespor. The president, Faruk Koca, and some members of the Ankaragucu bench lashed out at him with senseless violence and ferocity. Meler suffered swelling of his left eye, bruises on his neck and body and was taken to hospital. Let’s see how he did yesterday.
Umut Meler’s history with Fiorentina and Brugge
Meler’s only one precedent with the Belgian club (the match ended in a draw) while it was his first ever debut with the Viola.
The referee cautioned 6 Italian players and sent off a Belgian
Assisted by assistants Eyisoy and Ersoy with the Bosnian Peljto IV man, the German Fritz at the Var and Ulusoy at the Avar, the referee booked six players plus the Viola coach: 43′ Ordoñez (C), 52′ Igor Thiago (C), 62′ Vetlesen (C), 82′ Mechele (C), 90′ Beltrán (F), 90’+4 Dodô (F), 90’+7 Italian (F) not from the field. Red card: 90′ Odoi (C) not from the field. Recovery time: 1′, 7′
Brugge-Fiorentina, slow motion cases
These are the dubious episodes. In the 30th minute Thiago holds Milenkovic: the referee lets it continue and, amidst protests, Bruges comes close to doubling their lead. Shortly after, a shot from Kouamé first hits the crossbar and then the line. The referee’s watch does not sound e Goal Line Technology confirms: it’s not a goal. The first yellow arrived only in the 43rd minute and it was for Ordonez who in midfield knocked Belotti down with a double blow, but in the second half it would be a festival of cards. In the 52nd minute Thiago raised his leg too much in an attempt to take a high ball away from Milenkovic, who received a yellow card.
In the 61st minute Vetlesen was also booked and stopped Dodò on the edge of the area. In the 73rd minute, yellow for Odoi who knocks out Gonzalez. In the 82nd minute, following a cross from Nico Gonzalez, Nzola gets on the ball and, having landed from a slope, earns a penalty which Beltran scores. In the 88th minute Milenkovic was also booked and stopped Thiago with his elbows. Hot ending sparks on the pitch between Dodò and Odoi with the purple full-back being booked. Italian protested and he also received a yellow card while Odoi was sent off the bench. finally in the 96th minute a yellow card for Nzola who delayed the restart of the game before the final whistle of Brugge-Fiorentina.
