By Ashiadey Dotse
A former football leader in Turkey’s Super Lig was sentenced to over three years in prison on Monday, November 11, 2024, for attacking a referee during a match. The incident happened in December 2023 after a 1-1 draw between MKA Ankaragucu and Caykur Rizespor.
Videos showed Ankaragucu’s then-president, Faruk Koca, rushing onto the field and punching referee Halil Umut Meler after the final whistle, yelling, “I’m going to kill you!” Koca was upset about the referee’s decision to red-card one of his players and disallow a goal.
After the attack, the Turkish Football Federation condemned Koca’s actions, suspended Super Lig matches for eight days, and started legal proceedings against Koca and others involved. Koca later apologized and resigned but claimed his team had been unfairly treated.
The court sentenced him to three years and seven months for injuring a public official and six months for making threats. He also received a five-month suspended sentence for breaking laws on sports violence.
The referee, who was punched and kicked by other club officials, suffered head injuries. Three other officials received prison sentences for their roles in the attack, with sentences ranging from one to five years. The incident caused outrage in Turkey and was condemned by FIFA.
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