Sports
Ankaragucu Defends Ex-President After Prison Sentence For Referee Assault
Turkish football club Ankaragucu has come to the defence of former president Faruk Koca, who was sentenced to prison for assaulting a referee.
On Monday, a court in Ankara sentenced the 60-year-old Koca to three years and seven months for “intentionally wounding a public official.” He also received a suspended sentence of under a year for issuing threats and violating anti-violence laws in sports.
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The charges stem from an incident in December 2023, when Koca struck referee Halil Umut Meler in the face after a 1-1 draw with Rizespor, causing Meler to suffer a fractured eye socket. Meler fell to the ground and was then kicked by three other individuals.
In response to the sentencing, Ankaragucu chairman Ismail Mert Firat criticized the decision, calling it “impossible to interpret with good intentions.”
Firat argued that no “disgraceful crime” had been committed and suggested the court’s decision was influenced by biased public opinion. The club praised Koca’s contributions to Turkish football during his three-year tenure, describing him as a “legend.”
Ankaragucu argued that the sentence was excessive, noting that Koca had already resigned and publicly apologized for his actions.
Following the incident, the Turkish Football Federation suspended all national matches for a week and issued Koca a lifetime ban. Ankaragucu was fined two million lira (£54,000) and required to play five home games without fans.
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The three other individuals involved in the assault received suspended sentences ranging from 15 months to five years.
All four defendants are expected to appeal the ruling, with Koca’s imprisonment deferred until the higher court makes a decision on the appeal.
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