One day after the attack on the referee by Ankaragücu’s president, Turkey is still in shock at the violence. The perpetrator has now drawn his own initial conclusions and resigned from office
“I apologize to the Turkish refereeing community, the sporting public and our nation,” the ex-president of the Turkish first division club was quoted as saying in a club press release.
The previous evening, after the final whistle of the match between MKE Ankaragücü and Rizespor, in which the hosts had conceded the equalizer shortly before the end (1:1), Faruk Koca had knocked down referee Halil Umut Meler on the pitch with a punch to the face. The visibly dazed referee was then supported by people while standing and subsequently taken to hospital.
“I’d like to apologize to everyone I’ve upset “
The Turkish association announced harsh consequences and suspended league operations for the time being: “In coordination with our state, all appropriate criminal proceedings have been initiated against the perpetrators and instigators of this inhumane attack. (…) By decision of the board of the Turkish Football Federation, matches in all leagues have been postponed indefinitely,” the TFF said.
One day after his act, the perpetrator also spoke out and called his attack “embarrassing”: “Any attitude that overshadows fair play, including my own, should not be present in stadiums or halls. I would like to take this opportunity to apologize once again to everyone I have upset, especially the Ankaragücü fans,” said Koca, who announced that he had resigned from the presidency of the first division club.
“Strictest sanctions” announced for Koca and the club
“No matter how great the injustice or the aftermath, nothing can justify or explain the violence I committed,” the 59-year-old continued – yet he also used the announcement to draw attention to the alleged abuses in the Turkish association: “I hope that the structural problems of Turkish soccer will be discussed more realistically as a result of this serious incident caused by me,” said Koca.
The ex-president is currently in custody, but his resignation will not spare him and the club from further consequences: The association has already announced “the strictest sanctions. “