Turkey: Ankaragucu President Faruk Koca arrested for punching referee after match. Everything about incident
Faruk Koca entered the field and hit referee Halil Umut Meler after the final whistle. A few minutes earlier, Rizespor tied the score at one in the 97th minute. The Ankaragucu fans invaded the pitch, assaulted and kicked Meler as he fell. The policemen helped him move to the locker room. The Turkish Football Federation suspended all its leagues after the incident. Later, Faruk Koca was arrested.
With the draw, Ankaragucu are ranked 11th in the 20-team TFF at 4-6-5, while Rizespor are eighth at 6-4-5.
«Ankaragucu will be punished»
Reacting to the incident, Turkish FA Chairman Mehmet Buyukeksi said in a news conference, «The matches in all leagues have been postponed indefinitely. This attack is a night of shame for Turkish football.»
He said further football matches are not a war, there is no death at the end. He added that all teams can not become champions at the same time. He also asked everyone to take responsibility. He said that Ankaragucu and their managers will be punished most severely.
Meler: Koca punched me
Describing the incident Halil Umut Meler said, «Faruk Koca punched me under my left eye; I fell to the ground. While I was on the ground, other people kicked me in the face and other parts of my body many times.» He said further, «Koca said to me and my colleagues, ‘I will finish you.’ Addressing me, he said, ‘I will kill you.’»
Koca: Referee's behavior provocative
According to the Demiroren news agency, Koca told the court that the incident developed due to the wrong decisions and provocative behavior of the referee.
FIFA Chief: Unacceptable
Reacting to the incident, the FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, said the events after the match
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