Former Turkish Soccer Club President Receives Lifetime Ban for Punching Referee
Former president of Turkish soccer club, MKE Ankaragücü, receives a lifetime ban from football after assaulting a referee, according to the Turkish Football Federation (TFF)
The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has announced that Faruk Koca, the former president of Ankaragücü, has been banned from football for life after attacking referee Halil Umut Meler following the 1-1 draw between Ankaragücü and Rizespor on Monday night.
ANKARA, TURKEY - DECEMBER 11: Faruk Koca, President of MKE Ankaragucu, is seen throwing a punch at referee Halil Umut Meler after the Turkish Super Lig week 15 soccer match between MKE Ankaragucu and Rizespor at Eryaman Stadium in Ankara, Turkey on December 11, 2023. The match ended in a 1-1 draw. (Photo by Emin Sansar/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Emin Sansar/Anadolu/Getty Images
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The Turkish Professional Football Disciplinary Board has mandated that Ankaragücü play five home games without any spectators and has imposed a fine of 2,000,000 Turkish lira, equivalent to around $69,000. According to a statement from Turkey's state-run news agency Anadolu, Meler alleges that Koca struck him in the face below his left eye and that he was subsequently kicked by two others, causing him to fall to the ground.
Faruk Koca threatened me and other officials by saying, "I will finish you. I will kill you," Meler informed Anadolu.
The referee was hospitalized after the assault but was released on Wednesday. Koca received a five-year suspension for his involvement in the attack, resulting in a lifetime ban. He resigned from his position as president of Ankaragücü on Tuesday.
Turkish Minister of Justice, Yılmaz Tunç, announced that three individuals involved in attacking the referee have been arrested for causing injury to a public official while he was performing his duties on the sports field. Among the arrested individuals is Koca, who denies the allegations, stating that he only "slapped" Meler in the face.
FIFA official Pierluigi Collina emphasized that physical and verbal abuse against referees is a serious problem and may lead to the demise of football. Meanwhile, the president of the Turkish Football Federation, Mehmet Büyükkeşi, confirmed that soccer in Turkey will resume on Tuesday during a press conference on Wednesday.
The Turkish Football Federation had indefinitely postponed matches in all of the countrys leagues following an attack on referee Halil Umut Meler on Monday.
