Former president of Turkish club who assaulted referee released on parole

The Ankaracourt’s decision to clear Faruk Koca, the former president of the Ankaragücü club, of the charges related to his physical altercation with referee Halil Umut Meler has sparked widespread debate and controversy in Turkey. Koca, who had been in pre-trial detention since the incident took place during a match against Rizespor on December 11, was accused of “injuring an official in the course of his work” and violating the law against violence in sport.

Following Koca’s assault, the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) took decisive actions, suspending matches in all leagues for a week and imposing a fine of €62,000 on the club, as well as sanctioning them with five home games to be played without fans in the stands. Furthermore, Faruk Koca resigned from his position the day after the attack, and he has since been banned for life from football-related activities. These measures reflect a concerted effort by the TFF to address the pressing issue of respect and fair treatment for referees in Turkish football.

The case of Faruk Koca is not an isolated incident, as the TFF also adjudicated on another contentious matter involving Ecmel Faik Sarialoglu, president of the Istanbulspor club. Sarialoglu received a fine of 24,000 euros and a 90-day ban for instructing his players to leave the field in the 73rd minute of a match against Trabzonspor on December 19, citing an unfair decision by the referee. Despite the score being 1-2 in favor of Trabzonspor, the TFF declared the final score as 0-3 and deducted three points from Istanbulspor, who have languished at the bottom of the Turkish Super Lig standings for weeks.

The strong stance taken by the TFF in response to these incidents underscores the determination of the Federation to combat what many perceive to be a culture of impunity within Turkish football. The measures imposed on both individuals and clubs send a clear message about the importance of upholding the principles of fairness, respect, and sportsmanship in the sport, and serve as a reminder of the consequences of disregarding these fundamental values.