23.10.2025 22:05
Halil Umut Meler will officiate the Roma-Viktoria Plzen match this evening. The moment when Roma's head coach Gian Piero Gasperini learned that the match would be officiated by Halil Umut Meler, with whom he has had issues in the past, became a trending topic on social media. Gasperini couldn't hide his surprise and smile when he found out that the match would be managed by Halil Umut Meler.
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In the UEFA Europa League match of the 3rd week, Roma will face Victoria Plzen. The match, which will be played at the Olympic Stadium, will be officiated by Halil Umut Meler.
GASPERINI WAS SURPRISED TO HEAR HALIL UMUT MELER'S NAME
The events that took place before the match made headlines. Gian Piero Gasperini, who heavily criticized the decisions made by Halil Umut Meler during his time as the head coach of Atalanta last year, will face the Turkish referee again. During the pre-match press conference, when a journalist asked, "The match will be officiated by Halil Umut Meler. You don't have very good memories," Gasperini was visibly shocked.
"I SWEAR I DIDN'T KNOW"
Gasperini, who learned for the first time that the match would be officiated by Halil Umut Meler, was initially surprised and then smiled. He stated regarding the matter, "I swear I didn't know. I just found out now." These moments quickly went viral on social media.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Last season, Halil Umut Meler officiated the match between Club Brugge and Atalanta in the Champions League. In the final moments of the match, with the score at 1-1, Club Brugge was awarded a penalty due to Meler's decision. The players of the Italian representative and coach Gasperini reacted strongly to this decision. Halil Umut Meler faced significant backlash from the Italian team after the match.
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