Who is MKE Ankaragücü club president Faruk Koca?

FARUK KOCA became involved in a football scandal after he invaded the pitch at Turkey’s Eryaman Stadium in December 2023.

The football president is now facing legal ramifications for his actions against referee Halil Umut Meler.

Faruk Koca, centre, punched referee Halil Umut Meler after the Turkish Super Lig football match between MKE Ankaragucu and Rizespor on December 11, 2023Emin Sansar/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Who is Faruk Koca?

Faruk Koca is the president of Turkish football club Ankaragücü.

 He is also a politician and businessman.

Koca has been the president of Ankaragücü since 2021.

In 2022 he was awarded the Fair Play manager of the month award.

What did Faruk Koca do to the Turkish referee Halil Umut Meler?

On Monday, December 11, Koca invaded the pitch after Ankaragücü’s 1-1 draw with Rizespor and punched referee Halil Umut Meler in the face.

Meler was seen on the floor after the attack and was kicked by another, unidentified, individual.

He was then taken off the pitch to safety, already sporting a huge black eye.

Ankaragücü’s official account on X, formerly known as Twitter, issued an apology two hours after the incident.

The statement, originally written in Turkish, read: “As MKE Ankaragücü Sports Club, we are saddened by the incident that took place this evening.

“We apologise to the Turkish football public and the entire sports community for the sad incident that occurred after the Caykur Rizespor match at Eryaman Stadium.”

The following day, December 12, it was reported that a Turkish court had ordered the arrest of Koca.

Two other suspects were also reportedly remanded in custody over the violence, according to Sky Sports.

Turkey‘s justice minister Yilmaz Tunc confirmed on social media that Koca and two others had been formally arrested for “injuring a public official” after giving statements to prosecutors.

Posting on X, Tunc said the investigation was “continuing meticulously”.

What has the Turkish Football Federation said about the incident?

All Turkish matches in all leagues were indefinitely suspended as a result of Kocu’s violence against Meler.

Shortly after the incident, the Turkish Football Federation released a statement condemning Kocu’s actions.

The federation said: “We are following Halil Umut Meler’s health condition closely and wish a speedy recovery to our valuable referee.

“This inhumane and despicable attack was made against all stakeholders of Turkish Football. 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 TV commentators targeting referees have paved the way for this vile attack today.

“In coordination with our state, all criminal proceedings deserved have been initiated 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.”

FIFA President Gianni Infantino released his own statement, saying: “There is absolutely no place for violence in football, on or off the field.

“Events following the Turkish Super Lig match between MKE Ankaragücü and Çaykur Rizespor are totally unacceptable and have no place in our sport or society.

“Without match officials there is no football. Referees, players, fans and staff have to be safe and secure to enjoy the game, and I call on the relevant authorities to ensure that this is strictly implemented and respected at all levels.”

Even Turkey’s president, Recep Erdogan, was quoted in Turkish media condemning the attack.

He reportedly 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. Sports are incompatible with violence.

“We will never allow violence to take place in Turkish sports.”