Turkey: apology & resignation of MKE Ankaragücü's president, lawsuit filed by the assaulted referee

"I would like to extend my apologies to the Turkish refereeing community, to the sports community and to our nation, in particular to Mr Meler and his family, for my behaviour towards referee Halil Umut Meler after the match against Çaykur Rizespor," said Faruk Koca, president of MKE Ankaragücü (Süper Lig), an Ankara (TUR) based football club, on 12/12/2023.

Faruk Koca, who hit referee Halil Umut Meler on the pitch at the end of match between MKE Ankaragücü and Çaykur Rizespor (Süper Lig, 1-1) on 11/12/2023, has resigned from his position after spending a few hours in provisional detention: "I have resigned from the presidency of MKE Ankaragücü in order to avoid further damage to the club, its supporters, the community to which I belong and my family."

The 64-year-old public works contractor was twice elected to the Turkish Parliament, in 2002 and 2007, under the AKP, the Islamo-conservative party of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

"Faruk Koca punched me under the left eye and I fell to the ground. While I was on the ground, everyone was kicking me in the face and other parts…