12 December 2023 , 14:46
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The president of a Turkish football club who attacked referee Halil Umut Meler, leaving him in hospital, has defended his actions after being arrested.
It was confirmed on Tuesday by Turkey's justice minister, Yilmaz Tunc, that MKE Ankaragucu chief Faruk Koca had been arrested “for injuring and threatening a public servant due to his public duty”.
Meler, who was punched and then kicked by others whilst on the ground after Koca's team conceded a 97th minute equaliser to Caykur Rizespor, is currently being treated in hospital.
Koca has since broken his silence on the incident and insisted that he intended to verbally abuse the match official and spit at him rather than physically attack him. “My aim was to react verbally to the referee and spit in his face,” Koca said per CNN Turk. “At this time, I slapped the referee in the face. The slap I gave did not cause a fracture.
“After the slap I gave, the referee stood for about 5-10 seconds, then threw himself on the ground. They immediately removed me from the scene because of my heart disease. Other than that, I am not aware of any incident that took place.”
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A warrant for Koca's arrest was issued last night. Furthermore, his actions - which occurred during a Turkish Super Lig match - has led the Turkish FA to take the unprecedented step of shutting down football across the country.
Mehmet Buyukeksi, the chairman of the Turkish FA, said: “The matches in all leagues have been postponed indefinitely. This attack is a night of shame for Turkish football.”
MKE Ankaragucu president Faruk Koca has defended his actions after being arrested for attacking Meler (Anadolu via Getty Images)FIFA president Gianni Infantino was also quick to condemn the shocking incident, which quickly went viral on social media. Infantino said: “There is absolutely no place for violence in football, on or off the field. It is totally unacceptable and has no place in our sport or society.
"Without match officials there is no football. Referees, players, fans and staff have to be safe and secure to enjoy the game, and I call on the relevant authorities to ensure that this is strictly implemented and respected at all levels.”
Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan also spoke out in the aftermath of the attack on Meler. He said: “I condemn the attack on referee Halil Umut Meler after the MKE Ankaragucu-Çaykur Rizespor match played this evening, and I wish him a speedy recovery.
"Sports means peace and brotherhood. Sport is incompatible with violence. We will never allow violence to take place in Turkish sports.”