The former president of Ankara-based Turkish Süper Lig club Ankaragücü, Faruk Koca, was sentenced to three years and seven months in prison for hitting a referee at the end of 2023, the state Anadolu agency reported on Monday. Faruk Koca was sentenced to three years, seven months and 22 days in prison for “intentional injury” following a meeting with the Rizespor club on December 11.
He was also sentenced to six months and twenty days as well as a five-month suspended prison sentence, respectively for “threat” and “non-compliance with the law on the prevention of violence in sport”.
Faruk Koca rushed at referee Halil Umut Meler at the final whistle, punching him violently in the face and shouting “I’m going to kill you!” “. While the two clubs were tied, the referee had just refused a goal to Ankara.
VideoFootball: a referee lynched in Türkiye, the championship suspended
Two other people also beat the referee, causing head trauma. Placed in pre-trial detention then released, Mr. Koca, a former deputy, resigned from Ankaragücü.
The attack caused a stir in Türkiye and a barrage of condemnations, including that of the head of Fifa. The Turkish Football Federation then decided to postpone all championship matches which could not resume eight days later. Faruk Koka was also banned for life from football by the Disciplinary Board of the Turkish Football Federation (TFF).
