Public prosecutor calls for 13 years in prison for former chairman who assaulted referee

Last December, the Turkish League had to be stopped after incidents during the match between Ankaragucu and Rizespor. Following a controversial penalty awarded to Rizespor, president Faruk Koca jumped onto the pitch and assaulted the referee Halil Umit Meler without thinking.

The incident occurred at the end of the match when the visitors had equalised thanks to the penalty in the 97th minute. In addition to the embarrassing attack, the Ankaragucu players also attacked the referee and Halil Umit Meler had to leave the field escorted by the opponents.

Just hours after the attack, which left the referee's left eye swollen and bruised, Faruk Koca resigned and apologised.

However, the then Ankaragucu president was unable to avoid a remand in custody and a 65,000 euro sanction and five matches behind closed doors, which affected the team as it ended up losing the category at the end of the campaign.

Ten months later, it has emerged that the public prosecutor has demanded a 13-year prison sentence for the events of 11 December 2023. Faruk Koca is now facing charges of threatening and assaulting the referee of that match.