Faruk Koca, the former president of Turkish football club MKE Ankaragucu, who was arrested after punching a referee on Monday, was awarded a fair play award last season, according to reports. The incident occurred after his team conceded a late equaliser against Caykur Rizespor, resulting in a 1-1 draw.
Koca stormed onto the pitch and struck referee Umut Meler in the face, knocking him to the ground where he was also kicked. Meler stated that Koca threatened to kill him and his colleagues, as reported by state-owned Anadolu news agency. Despite video evidence, Koca initially denied hitting the official but later apologised, saying, 'No matter how great an injustice or how wrong (the officiating) was, nothing can legitimise or explain the violence that I perpetrated.'
Koca, a well-known figure in Turkey, served as a deputy in parliament for President Erdogan's ruling AK Party from 2002 to 2011 and was a founding member of the party. In 2006, he reportedly broke the window of Erdogan's armoured vehicle with a sledgehammer to rescue the president after he became trapped inside. Koca also received a fair play award from the Turkish SuperLig in December 2022.
The 59-year-old businessman and married father of four resigned from his position at the club following the attack. He was arrested along with two other suspects for 'injuring and threatening a public official'. This is not the first physical altercation involving Koca; a former Ankaragucu manager claimed Koca attacked him with a fist during his time as coach.
