Faruk Koca, the president of Ankaragucu Club, sparked widespread outrage by physically assaulting referee Halil Umut Meler. It was during a Turkish Football Lig match on Monday. In response to this heinous act, a Turkish court took swift action on Tuesday. They ordered the arrest of Faruk Koca and remand of two other suspects implicated in connection with the assault.
The consequences of this violent incident extended beyond the immediate shockwaves, leading to the suspension of the Turkish Super Lig.
Referee assaulted
In a heated clash at Eryaman Stadium on Monday night, Ankaragucu faced off against Rizespor, with the match taking a contentious turn as the club’s president engaged in a physical altercation with a referee.
Initially leading, Ankaragucu found themselves leveled by Adolfo Gaich’s injury-time goal for Rizespor. The tension escalated further when Ankaragucu’s forward, Ali Sowe, received a red card in the 50th minute, sparking outrage among home supporters.
Following the incident where Koca physically confronted the referee fulfilling his duties. As Koca charged onto the pitch, he struck Meler, setting off a chain of violent events that involved both players and club officials. Minister of Internal Affairs, Ali Yerlikaya, confirmed that Koca was admitted to a health facility in the aftermath of the altercation.
Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said that Koca and two other people were formally detained for “injuring a public official”. Court monitoring was imposed on three additional suspects.
Following the match, supporters of Ankaragucu stormed the ground, kicking Meler as he went down. He ultimately made it to the dressing room with the police’s help. The federation has iterated Ankaragucu, its chairman, club representatives, and everyone else involved in the referee attack would be “punished in the harshest terms possible.”
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