Süper Lig - After attack on referee - Turkish club boss resigns
Following his attack on the referee in a first division match in Turkey, the president of the Ankaragücü club has announced his resignation. Faruk Koca apologized in a letter for his behaviour the previous evening and explained that he wanted to prevent further damage to his club by resigning.
Nothing can legitimize or explain the violence he committed, according to Koca's statement, which Ankaragücü published on the social media platform X. He had always stood up for fair play and was embarrassed that he had now "created the exact opposite environment", Koca wrote.
On Monday evening, wild scenes broke out after the soccer match between Ankaragücü and Rizespor. Koca hit the referee Halil Umut Meler in the face with his fist after the final whistle, as can be seen on videos. Meler then went to the ground and others involved then kicked him. Rizespor had scored the 1:1 equalizer in the seventh minute of stoppage time.
That evening, the Turkish Football Association called an urgent meeting, announced the "harshest" punishments against all those involved and postponed matches in all leagues indefinitely.
Read also:
- This will change in December
- German activists speak out in Dubai on suffering in Israel and the Gaza Strip
- Nuclear fusion - hype or solution to energy problems?
- Budget crisis fuels debate on citizen's income - Bas warns against populism
- Despite the resignation of Faruk Koca, the Ankaragücü club continues to face scrutiny in Turkey, with questions being raised about the club's role in the incident involving Halil Umut Meler, the Rizespor referee.
- Faruk Koca's actions have not only tarnished his own reputation but also that of the Turkish Soccer League, with many calling for stricter measures to be taken against Criminality in the sport.
- Following the incident, Halil Umut Meler, the referee who was assaulted by Faruk Koca, has been praised for his professionalism and resilience in the face of adversity, with many in Turkey expressing their support for him.
- The attack on Halil Umut Meler has sparked a nationwide debate in Turkey about the state of Soccer in the country, with some calling for stricter disciplinary measures and others advocating for a cultural shift towards more respectful and sportsmanlike behavior on and off the field.
Source: www.stern.de
