Faruk Koca, the president of Ankaragucu, a prominent Turkish football club, was taken into custody on Tuesday after physically assaulting a referee following a game. The referee reported to authorities that Koca had also made threats to harm him.
The arrest came after a violent incident occurred during the home game of Super Lig team Ankaragucu against Rizespor on Monday evening.
According to the state-owned Anadolu news agency, the referee, Halil Umut Meler, was kicked while on the field and reported that Koca had also made threats towards him and his colleagues.
“I was struck under my left eye by Faruk Koca, causing me to fall to the ground. While I lay on the ground, I was repeatedly kicked in the face and other areas of my body by others,” he recounted. “Koca threatened me and my colleagues, saying ‘I will end you.’ Directly addressing me, he declared, ‘I will murder you.'”
The court in Turkey that issued the arrest order also detained two additional suspects in relation to the incident.
Koca explained to the court, as reported by the Demiroren news agency, that the incident was caused by the referee’s incorrect choices and instigating actions. Koca’s intention was to respond with words and spitting in the referee’s face.
The TFF announced the suspension of all leagues following a “shameful” event in Ankara.
Yilmaz Tunc, the justice minister, announced that Koca and two others have been arrested on charges of “injuring a public official” after giving statements to prosecutors. Tunc stated on X that the investigation is being conducted with great care and that three other suspects have been placed under judicial supervision.
According to footage, Koca entered the field and struck Meler after the final whistle was blown, following Rizespor’s goal in the 97th minute to tie the game 1-1 at Eryaman Stadium.
The footage released by the ministry showed the referee laying in a hospital bed, with a swollen face and wearing a neck brace.
Dr. Mehmet Yorubulut, chief physician at Acibadem hospital, stated that the bleeding in Meler’s left eye has begun to subside and no permanent harm is expected. He also mentioned that the fracture will heal over time and confirmed that there is no brain injury. He anticipates that Meler will be released from the hospital on Wednesday.
Koca, the president of Ankaragucu, has been elected to Turkey’s parliament twice as a member of President Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling AK Party.
Footage after the match revealed that Ankaragucu supporters stormed onto the field and Meler was also struck when he fell. He was eventually escorted to the locker room with assistance from the police.
The federation stated that Ankaragucu, along with their chairman, club officials, and anyone responsible for attacking the referee, will face severe punishment.
Infantino, the president of Fifa, stated that the incidents following the game were “completely unacceptable and have no role in either our sport or society. Football cannot exist without match officials.”
Meler, a 37-year-old Fifa referee since 2017, was the official for Lazio’s match against Celtic in the Champions League group stage on 28 November.
Club managers and presidents in Turkey frequently receive criticism for the decisions made by referees, but violent attacks against referees are uncommon.
Ankaragucu is currently ranked 11th with 18 points, sitting three spots behind Rizespor who has 22 points after 15 games. The date for the resumption of Super Lig matches is uncertain.
The leader of a charity for referees in the UK has stated that a referee will face physical assault in professional football unless there is a shift in how officials are treated. Martin Cassidy, the head of Ref Support UK, expressed concern over the normalization of referee abuse and warned that a similar incident could occur during a televised match in the top-tier of UK football if attitudes towards match officials do not improve.
Source: theguardian.com
