The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) announced on Thursday that Ankaragucu club president Faruk Koca has been handed a permanent ban by its disciplinary board. This action stems from an incident where Koca punched referee Halil Umut Meler after a game in the country's top-tier Super Lig.
In addition to the president's ban, the TFF board decreed that Ankaragucu would be fined two million lira ($69,000) and mandated that the club play five home games without fans. This punishment is a response to the unrest involving both fans and club officials during the match.
Further repercussions were meted out to various other Ankaragucu officials, who received bans, cautions and fines in connection with the incident that took place on Monday.
The altercation unfolded at the conclusion of Ankaragucu's home match against Rizespor, where Koca entered the field and assaulted referee Halil Umut Meler following Rizespor's 97th-minute equalizer in the 1-1 draw. The referee was subsequently kicked while lying on the pitch.
Koca was arrested the following day, prompting the football federation to suspend all matches. However, after a one-week suspension, the TFF has decided that games will resume on the following Tuesday.
Referee Halil Umut Meler, who suffered a swollen and darkened eye but no other health issues, was released from an Ankara hospital on Wednesday.
