Football Club President Banned for Life After Unprovoked Attack on Referee
In the aftermath of Ankaragucus 1:1 draw against Rizespor, club president Faruk Koca stormed the field and attacked referee Khalil Umut Mele, punching him in the face.
The Turkish Disciplinary Committee for Professional Football imposed a lifetime ban on Koca and fined Ankaragucu 2 million Turkish Liras (approximately 69,000 USD) for its role in the incident. The club will also play five home games without spectators.
According to reports, Mandar Koca assaulted Mele below his left eye. Mele claimed he fell to the ground and was further attacked by two other individuals. Koca allegedly threatened Mele, stating, "I will kill you."
Mele was transported to a hospital following the attack, but was released on Wednesday with no additional injuries. Koca was initially handed a five-year ban for his involvement in the attack, but due to the length of the suspension, he will be banned for life. As a result, Koca resigned as club president on Tuesday.
Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç stated that the three individuals involved in attacking Mele have been detained and charged with causing injuries that could potentially result in bone fractures on the football field.
Koca, one of the detained individuals, denied the allegations, claiming he only struck Mele in the face.
FIFA functionary Pierluigi Collina reinforced his belief that physical and verbal abuse against referees is a cancer that can be detrimental to football's existence.
In response to the incident, Turkish Football Federation President Mehmet Büyükekşi announced that Turkish football would resume on Tuesday. The Federation postponed all league games nationwide following Mele's assault.
Additional Insights
The incident involving Faruk Koca and referee Halil Umut Mele has resulted in significant consequences within the Turkish football community. Ankaragucu club president Koca was permanently banned and fined, while the club was ordered to play home games without fans. Koca was also arrested and charged with assaulting the referee.
Mele was released from the hospital following treatment for a swollen and discolored eye. Various other Ankaragucu officials received disciplinary action, including bans, cautions, and fines.
The violence against Mele has sparked widespread outrage and criticism within the football community, shedding light on concerns about player and referee safety. Debates about refereeing standards in Turkish football have also emerged, with calls for better officiating and more stringent disciplinary measures.
The incident marks a precedent for harsh disciplinary action against club officials who engage in violent behavior towards referees, aiming to create a safer and more respectful environment in Turkish football.
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