The club chief who punched a referee has now officially taken drastic action.
Faruk Koca has announced his resignation from the MKE Ankaragucu presidency after receiving worldwide backlash for assaulting referee Halil Umut Meler immediately after the Turkish Super Lig match between his side and Caykur Rizespor on Monday.
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The incident caught the attention of the footballing world and beyond, with FIFA president Gianni Infantino labelling it as "totally unacceptable" and the president of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, publicly condemning the attack too.
After the final whistle had been blown, Koca stormed on to the pitch and punched the referee in the face. When Meler fell to the floor, he was then met with a kick to the head before being swarmed by bodies trying to protect him.
The official was then escorted by police off of the field and into the dressing room where he received medical care. He has since been spotted in hospital wearing a neck brace. It is said that Meler will face no permanent damage from the assault.
All Super Lig matches have been suspended indefinitely and according to BBC Sport, Koca and two other individuals were arrested for injuring a public official.
The former Ankaragucu president has since released a statement, apologising to the match official for his actions and admitting to feeling "great embarrassment" for his actions, as well as confirming his decision to resign as a result.
Basin Açiklamasi; pic.twitter.com/OLGBWUXob3
— MKE Ankaragücü (@Ankaragucu) December 12, 2023
"After the match we played against Caykur Rizespor last night, due to my attitude towards the referee Halil Umut Meler, who managed the match, Mr. Meler and his family, in particular; I apologise to the Turkish referee community, sports public and our nation," Koca said via the statement posted on social media by Ankaraguku.
"As someone who has always taken constructive initiatives in this direction since the day I became the MKE Ankaragucu president, I feel great embarrassment for having caused the creation of an exactly opposite environment.
"I would like to announce to the public that I have resigned from the MKE Ankaragucu Presidency in order to prevent any further harm to the Ankaragucu club, Ankaragucu fans, the community I am in and my family.
"I hope that this event, which I, more than anyone else, cannot accept, will disrupt our sports life, especially our football community. It constitutes a reason for purification from mistakes, shortcomings and the culture of violence.
"At the same time, I hope that the structural problems of Turkish football will be discussed more realistically due to this grave incident that I caused. I would like to take this opportunity to apologise again to everyone I have upset, especially Ankaragucu fans.
"I would like it to be known that I am deeply saddened that both the club I manage, the football community, and our country are remembered with such an event and image."
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According to Reuters, Koca appeared in court on Tuesday, during which he explained to those present that the "incident developed due to the wrong decisions and provocative behaviour of the referee. My aim was to react verbally to the referee and spit in his face."