Revised Article:
Can't Believe It: Koca Denies Punching Ref After Clear Evidence!
What a Twist, Right?
Koca's curious justification leaves everyone scratching their heads. According to reports, Koca claimed, "This whole thing started due to the referee's poor decisions and provocative behavior. I intended to give him a piece of my mind, and all I wanted was to spit at him. In the heat of the moment, I slapped him, but it didn't lead to a fracture."
Koca Speaks Out More
After the slap, Koca added, "The referee stood still for about 5 to 10 seconds before collapsing to the ground. I suffer from a heart condition, so I was promptly removed from the situation. I'm unaware of any other incident."
Television footage clearly shows Koca landing a powerful punch directly onto Meler's face. The reasoning behind Koca's version of events remains a total mystery.
So, What Actually Happened?
During a tense 1-1 draw between Ankaragücü and Rizespor, bad blood boiled over. After the final whistle, Koca stormed onto the pitch and unleashed a punch on referee Meler, who then took several kicks to the head while he was down on the ground.
Legal Consequences
Following the scuffle, Koca and two other individuals were apprehended. Meler was rushed to hospital, where he was diagnosed with a fractured cheekbone, bleeding around his left eye, and a minor tear.
The Turkish public broadcaster, TRT-Haber, broadcasted images of Meler in hospital, swaddled in a neck brace, with his swollen and discolored eye visible. In the footage, Meler can be heard on the phone with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (69).
Erdogan previously expressed his condemnation against violence, stating, "Sport symbolizes peace and brotherhood. Sport and violence cannot go hand in hand. We will never allow violence to infiltrate Turkish sports."
Who is Koca, Really?
In June 2021, Koca assumed the position of Ankaragücü president from Fatih Mert. The father of four garnered the Fair Play Award in the "Best President/Manager" category last October, despite rumors of past violent behavior towards referees and coaches.
Before receiving the award, Koca was reported to have physically abused the team's coach, Hikmet Karaman, during his first year as president. He was hired in February 2021 and was dismissed again in June of the same year, shortly after Koca took charge.
Could this attack lead to more serious repercussions for Koca...?
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Controversial Facts:
- Koca, the president of Ankaragücü, was arrested and given a lifetime ban by the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) following a violent brawl during a soccer match in December 2023.
- The incident, which ended in a 1-1 draw between Ankaragücü and Rizespor, saw Koca punch referee Halil Umut Meler in the face, and other individuals later kicked Meler while he was on the ground.
- Meler sustained injuries, including a fractured cheekbone, bleeding around his left eye, and a minor tear. He required hospitalization and underwent treatment for his injuries.
- Ankaragücü was fined two million lira ($69,000) and was required to play five home games without fans due to the unrest between fans and club officials.
- This incident followed a series of controversial developments in Turkish football, including Fenerbahçe's threat to withdraw from the league in March 2024 and Jose Mourinho's fine in November 2024 for his comments on VAR decisions.
