Black Night! Ankaragücü President Attacked the Referee

MKE Ankaragücü Club President Faruk Koca punched referee Halil Umut Meler. Three people kicked Meler’s head as he fell to the ground after the punch…

MKE Ankaragücü Club President Faruk Koca attacked the referee Halil Umut Meler after the Çaykur Rizespor match, in which they drew 1-1 in the 15th week of the Trendyol Super League.

When the final whistle of the match blew at Eryaman Stadium, Faruk Koca entered the field and punched the referee Meler. Security forces surrounded Meler, who fell to the ground with the blow.

He punched him and got sick!

Managers tried to calm down Faruk Koca, who collapsed on the ground for a while after this action and became ill.

Halil Umut Meler was taken to the dressing room under intense security measures 10 minutes after his treatment.

Ankaragücü fans supported Faruk Koca!

Meanwhile, MKE Ankaragücü fans supported their president Faruk Koca and cheered. There were also fans entering the field from the stands. Security guards intervened against these fans.

The referee of the match, Halil Umut Meler, sent off MKE Ankaragücü’s Ali Sowe with a second yellow card in the 50th minute of the match. This decision garnered great reaction from the stands. Çaykur Rizespor also scored a goal in the last minute of the match and received 1 point.

Condemnation received from Minister Osman Aşkın Bak

Minister of Youth and Sports Osman Aşkın Bak condemned the attack on Halil Umut Meler, the referee of the MKE Ankaragücü-Çaykur Rizespor match.

Minister Bak, in his post on the social media platform “We do not want to see these images on our fields, which do not suit the spirit of sports and Turkish football.” he said.

A judicial investigation has been launched into the attack against Halil Umut Meler

Minister of Justice Yılmaz Tunç stated that a judicial investigation has been launched against those responsible for the attack on Halil Umut Meler, the referee of the MKE Ankaragücü-Çaykur Rizespor match.

In his post on his social media account, Minister Tunç said, “The necessary judicial investigation has been initiated against those responsible for the attack on the match referee Halil Umut Meler at the end of the MKE Ankaragücü-Çaykur Rizespor match.” gave the information.

📌 Maçtan sonra "Çok üzgünüm, bir şey söylemek istemiyorum" diyen Ankaragücü Teknik Direktörü Emre Belözoğlu'nun maç oynanırken hakem Halil Umut Meler’i hedef gösterdiği ortaya çıktı!pic.twitter.com/Brr9RMIYqJ

— 23 DERECE (@yirmiucderece) December 11, 2023

Minister of Justice Tunç stated that an investigation has been launched by the Ankara West Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office against all the suspects who went down to the field after the match and committed violence against the referee of the match, and the fans who went down to the field, for the crimes of “violating the Law No. 6222 on the Prevention of Violence and Disorder in Sports” and “injuring a public official due to his public duty”. he stated.

Minister Tunç said, “The necessary instructions have been given to the Ankara Provincial Police Department Sports Branch Directorate to identify all suspects and to prepare them at our chief prosecutor’s office. It is respectfully announced to the public that the investigation continues meticulously.” he said.

Statement from President Erdoğan

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made a statement after the attack on Halil Umut Meler. President Erdoğan said, “I condemn the attack on referee Halil Umut Meler after the MKE Ankaragücü-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,” he said.

Bu akşam oynanan MKE Ankaragücü-Çaykur Rizespor müsabakası sonrasında hakem Halil Umut Meler’e yapılan saldırıyı kınıyor, kendisine geçmiş olsun dileklerimi iletiyorum.

Spor, barış ve kardeşlik demektir. Spor şiddetle bağdaşmaz. Şiddetin Türk sporunun içinde barınmasına asla…

— Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (@RTErdogan) December 11, 2023

Minister of Internal Affairs Yerlikaya made a statement

Minister of Internal Affairs Ali Yerlikaya condemned the attack on referee Halil Umut Meler at the end of the MKE Ankaragücü-Çaykur Rizespor match and emphasized that the incident was unacceptable.

Minister Yerlikaya, in his post on his social media account, said, “I strongly condemn the attack on referee Halil Umut Meler at the end of the MKE Ankaragücü-Çaykur Rizespor match. Such incidents are unacceptable on our green fields, which are the ground of peace and friendship. We are following this sad event. I offer my best wishes to our referee Halil Umut Meler, who successfully represents Turkish refereeing abroad.” he said.

TFF Board of Directors decided to hold an extraordinary meeting

TFF Board of Directors decided to hold an extraordinary meeting due to the attack on referee Halil Umut Meler after the MKE Ankaragücü-Çaykur Rizespor match.

TFF President Büyükekşi: Turkish football was dealt a shameful punch
Turkish Football Federation (TFF) President Mehmet Büyükekşi, in his statement after MKE Ankaragücü President Faruk Koca’s attack on referee Halil Umut Meler on the field at the end of the MKE Ankaragücü-Çaykur Rizespor match, said: “Tonight, a shameful punch was thrown at Turkish football. “Everyone involved in this incident will pay the price.” he said.

All league matches are postponed indefinitely

There was a black mark in Turkish football. After the MKE Ankaragücü-Çaykur Rizespor match, referee Halil Umut Melen was beaten in the middle of the field. Following the incident, TFF announced that matches in all leagues were postponed indefinitely.

Turkish Football Federation (TFF) President Mehmet Büyükekşi announced that matches in all leagues were postponed indefinitely.

President Büyükekşi made a statement to the press after the meeting of the TFF Board of Directors in Levent due to the attack made by MKE Ankaragücü Club President Faruk Koca on referee Halil Umut Meler.

Reacting harshly to the attack on referee Halil Umut Meler after the MKE Ankaragücü-Çaykur Rizespor match played in the 15th week of the Super League, Mehmet Büyükekşi said, “We strongly condemn the inhumane and despicable attack on Halil Umut Meler. “We are closely monitoring Halil Umut Meler’s health condition and wish a speedy recovery to our valuable referee.” he said.

Emphasizing that the attack was made against all stakeholders of Turkish football, Büyükekşi said:

“Everyone who has targeted referees and encouraged crimes against referees is complicit in this despicable crime. The irresponsible statements of club presidents, managers, coaches and television commentators targeting referees have paved the way for this vile attack today. Anyone who constantly brings up some events that happened years ago as if they happened today is responsible for this ugliness. All the criminal proceedings they deserve have been implemented in coordination with our state against those responsible and instigators of this inhumane attack. The responsible club, the club president, its managers and all the criminals who attacked Halil Umut Meler will be punished in the most severe way. “By the decision of the Turkish Football Federation Board of Directors, matches in all leagues have been postponed indefinitely.”

Büyükekşi: Enough is enough

Speaking about the attack on referee Halil Umut Meler after the MKE Ankaragücü-Çaykur Rizespor match played in the 15th week of the Trendyol Super League, Turkish Football Federation (TFF) President Mehmet Büyükekşi said, “Let’s not reduce the brand value of Turkish football and not be a disgrace to the world any more.” said.

Answering the questions of the press members after the board of directors meeting held at TFF’s campus in Levent, Büyükekşi said, “This attack is an unfortunate and shameful attack on the name of Turkish football. We say enough is enough. They blame a referee every day. Our referees are also human. They may definitely make mistakes, but not in a way that involves kicking and punching. Let’s end it now. I call out to all the public, all the media, all social media, all referee commentators, all club presidents, all managers, all coaches, and those who despise their referees on the field. “Let’s not lower the brand value of Turkish football and let’s not be a disgrace to the world any more.” he said.

Stating that they will visit Halil Umut Meler tomorrow, Büyükekşi said, “We will visit our referee tomorrow with our board of directors. The health of our referee is more important than anything else. There is a crack in his bone, I hope there is nothing bigger. It’s very hot. What is important is that the Turkish football community reacts to this issue. We must be united. Turkish football does not deserve this. Sports is friendship and brotherhood. “Football matches are not places of war.” he said.

Matches are postponed indefinitely

Reiterating that the matches have been postponed indefinitely, the TFF President did not make a statement about the date when the competitions will start again and said, “We know our responsibility. TFF makes very important decisions on important issues. We expect the support of all clubs when making these decisions. They all sent a get well soon message. Our esteemed President called, our Minister of Internal Affairs, our Minister of Youth and Sports called. They said what was necessary. Our President and Minister of Justice made the necessary legal statements. They also stated that they supported us in all decisions. Our Clubs Association President and other presidents called and texted us.” he said.

Stating that the incident should not be forgotten, Büyükekşi said, “There was a punch thrown at our referee. It is a shameful thing to kick someone, especially after he falls to the ground. This incident should definitely not be forgotten. We are now at the end of the conversation. Nothing should be the same as before. This could cause bigger events, we could all get hurt. Therefore, we should all support an environment of peace.” made his assessment.

Noting that they have not yet been contacted by UEFA, Büyükekşi answered the question of whether a penalty would be given to MKE Ankaragücü: “We have boards, there is a Disciplinary Board, there is an Arbitration Board. “Tomorrow, the TFF Legal Consultancy will refer him and they will give the heaviest punishment necessary.” he replied.

Büyükekşi responded to a question about whether international organizations would be affected by this situation and said, “We do not have such concerns at the moment. The important thing is to show that our referees are not careless in this regard. Our referees are the most important stakeholders for TFF to play the matches. “We want the whole public to respect our referees.” he replied.

Faruk Koca May Receive Prison Sentence! “6.5 Years Possible”

Will Faruk Koca, who attacked referee Halil Umut Meler, receive a prison sentence?

One of the ugliest nights of Turkish football took place in the capital. Can Ankaragücü President Faruk Koca be sentenced to prison for punching referee Halil Umut Meler in the middle of the field?

President Faruk Koca, who attacked referee Halil Umut Meler with a fist after the MKE Ankaragücü-Çaykur Rizespor match played in the 15th week of the Super League, may face a prison sentence.

Three suspects, including MKE Ankaragücü President Faruk Koca, who were detained within the scope of the investigation into the attack, were sent to the courthouse.

K.Ç., who attacked the referee and was detained yesterday evening. and Ş.Y.Ş. He was brought to Ankara Western Courthouse. Meanwhile, 3 more people were detained within the scope of the investigation.

Making a statement after the incident, Minister of Justice Yılmaz Tunç pointed to the Law on the Prevention of Violence and Disorder in Sports and Article 86 of the Turkish Penal Code for the judicial process. What do these regulations include? What will the suspects be charged with?

Lawyer Serkan Günel: Faruk Koca May Receive Prison Sentence

Evaluating the incident in the NTV live broadcast, lawyer Serkan Günel reminded the law no. 68/22 on the prevention of violence in sports and said, “Article 20 of this law, which was enacted in 2011, clearly states that; “Referees, observers, field commissioners and representatives working in sports competitions are considered public officials in terms of crimes committed against them in connection with such duties.” he said.

Serkan Günel said:

“Therefore, regardless of what our referee does under normal circumstances. I would like to underline that whether he is a dentist or a lawyer, he is considered a public official because of this duty.

In this respect, in the ‘c’ clause of the 3rd paragraph of the 86th article of the Turkish Penal Code, which includes the crime of intentional injury, it will be called a crime committed due to the public duty performed by the person and the penalty will be increased by half.

6.5 years in prison may be requested for Faruk Koca

In other words, if we foresee a punishment of up to 3 years in simple terms, it will be increased by half and in a sense, a punishment of up to 4.5 years will be envisaged.

Likewise, if we go back to the law no. 68/22, the law on the prevention of violence in sports says that; In case of intentional injury or damage to property in sports competitions, the penalty to be imposed according to the relevant articles of the Turkish Penal Code is increased by half, without requiring a complaint.

In other words, a penalty that will be increased by half twice should be applied here. Therefore, even if the act of intentional injury in Article 87 of the Turkish Penal Code is accepted outside the situations of constant difficulty in speaking, permanent scars on the face, and endangering life, I think that it will be possible for Ankaragücü President Faruk Koca to be tried with at least 6.5 years… ”

Faruk Koca Received the Fair Play Award! “Kindness is Contagious”

Ankaragücü President and former AKP MP Faruk Koca, who attacked Halil Umut Meler, received the Fair Play award!

Faruk Koca, the “leader-hearted president” in the words of TFF, also received the Fair Play award.

MKE Ankaragücü President Faruk Koca, who played the leading role in the scandalous incident that shook Turkish football, received the Fair Play award from TFF President Mehmet Büyükekşi not long ago.

After the attack on the referee, the “TFF Fair-Play awards” held at the headquarters of the Turkish Football Federation in Riva in December 2022 came to mind.

In the video shown in the hall about Faruk Koca at the ceremony where the awards of October 2022 were given, “There is winning and losing in football, but the most important thing is undoubtedly to engrave in the minds that sports mean friendship and brotherhood. Ankaragücü’s leader-hearted president, Faruk Koca, touched everyone’s hearts with his prudent messages before the match against Amed SportiveActivities in the Ziraat Turkish Cup.” expressions were used.

Faruk Koca received the Fair Play award with the following speech;

“Amed Sportive Activities will come. He will play his match. Our fans will definitely welcome us with home decor. The cost of even the slightest mistake there will not bring any benefit to this country. We are not coming to fight or go to war. “I think that every negativity experienced here will turn against us in the outside world and will be the biggest betrayal to the country.”

Faruk Koca Receiving the Fair Play Award Büyükekşi: Kindness is Contagious

Faruk Koca, who received his award from the hands of Turkish Football Federation President Mehmet Büyükekşi and the members of the board of directors, said, “It is more important to carry this award than to receive it.” TFF President Mehmet Büyükekşi thanked Koca and said, “Kindness is contagious,” and there was a round of applause in the hall again.

Unsurprising things happened after this ‘theatrical’ ceremony held in Turkish football, where statements and actions never find their place.

Exactly 23 days later, on January 14, 2023, Ankaragücü lost 3-1 away against Adana Demirspor, and President Faruk Koca makes a statement that almost marks these days;

“Ankaragücü was victimized. If this continues, I want the referees to know that they will face great reactions that they have never seen in their history. “We saw that I would like the authorities and decision makers to know that if they continue with this attitude, there will be different methods.”

Faruk Koca said these 23 days after receiving the Fair Play award, but TFF did not impose any sanctions.

4 months later, on May 23, Koca increases the dose. In his statement before the match against Medipol Başakşehir in the semi-final rematch of the Ziraat Turkish Cup, president Koca again targeted the referees and said, “We will mean those who mean us.”

For these words, PFDK only imposed a fine.

Faruk Koca, who has been vomiting anger and making threats for months, is proving that his threats were not in vain, a year after the Fair Play award.

Who is responsible for this incredible incident that happened in plain sight? Will the Turkish Football Federation, which applauded Faruk Koca in Riva a year ago and showed him as an exemplary president, not take responsibility for its hero who caused the suspension of the leagues?