Türkiye
Brutal attack on referee lands club boss in prison
Faruk Koca has been in prison for three years and seven months because, as the boss of a football club in Turkey, he knocked down a referee. A court decided that.
The former boss of Turkish club Ankaragücü has been convicted of his brutal attack on a referee last December. The court imposed a prison sentence of three years and seven months on Faruk Koca for intentional bodily harm, state news agency Anadolu reported. In addition, a six-month prison sentence was given for threats and a further five-month suspended prison sentence. Prison sentences were also imposed on three other people involved.
At the beginning of December 2023, there were wild scenes after a game between MKE Ankaragücü and Çaykur Rizespor. Ankaragücü’s President Koca punched referee Halil Umut Meler in the face after the final whistle, videos showed. Meler then fell to the ground and other people involved then kicked him. Rizespor made it 1-1 in the seventh minute of added time.
Association bans Faruk Koca for life
The Turkish Football Association then suspended the league and Koca was banned for life. He also resigned from his position as club boss. Numerous athletes and politicians beyond Turkey condemned the scenes.
DPA
tkr
Source: Stern
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