Turkish Minister of Youth and Sports Osman Askin Bak (CR) visiting Turkish referee Halil Umut Meler (bottom) who was hospitalised after being punched by the President of MKE Ankaragucu Football Club, Faruk Koca, in Ankara. 2023. Photo: AFP
The Turkish Football Federation has imposed a permanent ban on Ankaragucu club president Faruk Koca for punching a referee after a game in the country's top football league.
Turkish Referee Halil Umut Meler (ground) cover itself as MKE Ankaragucu's president Faruk Koca (L) attacks him at the end of the Turkish Super Lig football match. Photo: AFP
The TFF disciplinary board also ruled that Ankaragucu, a club in the top-tier Super Lig, should pay a $112,000 fine and would play five home games without fans as a result of the unrest involving fans and club officials.
Various other Ankaragucu officials received bans, cautions and fines in relation to Monday's incident.
At the end of their home match against Rizespor, Koca went on to the pitch and punched referee Halil Umut Meler in the face after Rizespor scored a 97th-minute equaliser in the 1-1 draw. Meler was then kicked while lying on the pitch.
Koca was arrested the next day and the football federation immediately suspended all matches. It has since decided that games will resume next Tuesday after a one-week suspension.
Meler was released from an Ankara hospital on Wednesday with a swollen and darkened eye but no other health issues.
Meler said that Koca had also threatened him and his colleagues, state-owned Anadolu news agency reported.
"Faruk Koca punched me under my left eye; I fell to the ground. While I was on the ground, other people kicked me in the face and other parts of my body many times," he said.
"Koca said to me and my colleagues, 'I will finish you'. Addressing me, he said, 'I will kill you'."
-Reuters
