Shock Wave in Turkish Football: Club President Sentenced for Referee Attack

Faruk Koca, the previous president of Ankaragücü, has been handed a suspended prison sentence for bodily assaulting referee Halil Umut Meler in the course of a debatable Süper Lig fit in December 2023. Koca, enraged by means of his team's 1-1 draw against Çaykur Rizespor, stormed onto the pitch and punched Meler, breaking his nostril.

The sport saw Ankaragücü conserving a 1-0 lead for most of the suit earlier than a late equalizer, and the team became later relegated. In court, Koca turned into convicted on three charges, consisting of "planned harm" and "threatening behavior,". Other defendants worried inside the incident additionally faced jail sentences.