Ankaragucu angered by jail sentence for Faruk Koca for punching referee
Turkish football club Ankaragucu have defended former president Faruk Koca after he was jailed for attacking a referee.
On Monday, a court in the Turkish capital Ankara sentenced 60-year-old Koca to three years and seven months in prison for “intentional injury to a public official.”
Coca was also given a suspended sentence of less than one year for making threats and violating laws related to sports violence.
husband Assault on referee Khalil Umut Mele In December 2023, during a 1-1 draw with Rizesburg, the referee was hit in the face, resulting in a fractured eye socket.
Mailer fell to the ground and was kicked by three other people.
“It is impossible to interpret this sentence in good faith,” Ankaragucu chairman Ismail Melt Filat said in a statement after the verdict.
He thinks “no shameful crime, external” has been committed and accuses the court of giving in to biased public opinion.
Ankaragucu reiterated his support for Koca, praising his positive contribution to Turkish football during his three-year term as president and calling him a “legend”.
The club argued the sentence was disproportionate because Coca resigned and publicly apologized after the attack.
After the incident, the Turkish Football Association suspended football matches in the country for a week and punished Koca. Permanent ban.
Ankaragucu were fined 2 million liras (£54,000) and ordered to play five home games without fans.
Three other defendants involved in the attack were given suspended sentences ranging from 15 months to five years.
All four are expected to appeal the court’s ruling, while Coca will not be sent to jail until a higher court rules on the appeal.
