Faruk Koca resigned from his position as Ankaracucu president after punching a referee at the end of a Super League match on Monday night.
Matches in all Turkish leagues have been suspended indefinitely by the country’s football federation after Koca ran onto the pitch and punched referee Halil Umut Miller. After their Super League match against Rizespor.
Turkish Justice Minister Yilmaz Tun revealed that a Turkish court on Tuesday ordered the arrest of Koca and the detention of two other suspects in the violence.
Tonk said that Kuka and two others were formally arrested on charges of “injuring a public official” after prosecutors took their statements.
“After the match we played against Çaykur Rezspor last night, due to my attitude towards the referee Halil Umut Miller who officiated the match, and in particular Mr. Miller and his family, I apologize,” Koca wrote in a letter confirming his resignation. To the Turkish referees community, sports fans and our nation.
“How and why the matter came to this point is independent of the event. No matter how great the injustice or unfairness, nothing can legitimize or explain the violence I committed, which I certainly did not want.
“Sports stadiums should be a place of noble competition. Any situation that casts a shadow on fair play, including my own, should not exist in stadiums or halls.
“As someone who has always taken constructive initiatives in this direction since the day I became MKE Ankaragucu Membership Chairman, I feel very embarrassed that I have created a completely adverse environment.
“I would like to announce to the public that I have resigned from the presidency of MKE Ankaracucu in order to prevent any further harm to Ankaracucu FC, Ankaracucu fans, the community I am in and my family.
He added: “I hope that this incident, which I cannot accept more than anyone else, will be a reason to purify our sports life, especially our football society, from mistakes, shortcomings, and the culture of violence.”
He added: “At the same time, I hope that the structural problems of Turkish football will be discussed more realistically due to this serious incident that it caused.”
“I would like to take this opportunity to apologize once again to everyone I have upset, especially Ankara Gocu fans.
“I would like you to know that I am deeply saddened that my club, the football community and our country are being remembered by such an event and this image.”
Kuka’s side conceded an equalizer in the 97th minute, ensuring that Rizespor stayed four points clear of their hosts after a 1-1 draw.
Ankaracucu fans stormed the field after the match and Miller was also kicked when he fell, although it was not clear who his attackers were. Miller eventually made it to the locker room with police assistance.
In a statement issued several hours after full-time, the Turkish Football Federation said it condemned the “inhuman and despicable” attack on the official.
“We are closely monitoring Khalil Umut Miller’s health condition and wish our valued referee a speedy recovery.
“This inhuman and despicable attack was carried out against all parties involved in Turkish football. Anyone who targeted referees and encouraged crimes against referees is complicit in this despicable crime.
“The irresponsible statements of club presidents, managers, coaches and television commentators targeting referees paved the way for this vile attack today.
Turkish Football Federation President Mehmet Büyükükü condemned the attack on referee Halil Umut Miller by MKE Ankaragucu president Faruk Koca, describing it as inhumane.
“In coordination with our state, all appropriate criminal measures have been taken against those responsible and instigators of this inhumane attack.
“The club responsible, the club president, his directors and all the criminals who attacked Khalil Umut Miller will be punished in the harshest manner.
“In accordance with the decision of the Turkish Football Federation Board of Directors, matches in all leagues have been postponed indefinitely.”
FIFA President Gianni Infantino also condemned the attacks, saying: “There is absolutely no place for violence in football, on or off the pitch. The events that followed the Turkish Super League match between MKE Ankaracucu and Kaykur Rezispor are completely unacceptable and have no place in our lives.” . Sports or society.
“Without match officials, there is no football. Referees, players, fans and staff must be safe to enjoy the game, and I call on the relevant authorities to ensure this is strictly implemented and respected at all levels.”
Howard Webb, chief refereeing officer at PGMOL, said: “PGMOL stands in solidarity with our refereeing colleagues in Turkey and in particular Halil Umut Miller, who was shamefully attacked after a Turkish Super League match last night. We wish Halil the best.” Complete and rapid recovery.
“There is no match without referees. Like all participants, they must be valued and respected for the good of the game.”
The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has decided to hold an extraordinary meeting in the wake of the unrest, the country’s public broadcaster reported. TRT He said.
The incident quickly reached the level of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who was quoted in Turkish media as condemning the attack.
Erdogan said: “I condemn the attack on referee Halil Umut Miller after the match between MKE Ankaragucu and Çekur Rezispor, which was held this evening, and I wish him a speedy recovery.”
He added, “Sports means peace and brotherhood. Sports are incompatible with violence. We will never allow acts of violence to occur in Turkish sports.”
An arrest warrant has been issued for Koca, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said in a post on X, adding that two people have already been arrested as part of a judicial investigation into the incident.
Two hours after the match ended, the official Ankaracucu FC account on X, formerly known as Twitter, issued an apology to the country’s football community for the incident.
The statement, originally written in Turkish, said: “We at MKE Ankaracucu Sports Club are saddened by the incident that occurred this evening.
“We apologize to the Turkish football fans and the entire sports community for the sad incident that occurred after the Kaykur Rizespor match at Eryaman Stadium.”
The 37-year-old Miller, a FIFA referee since 2017, took charge of Lazio’s Champions League group stage match against Celtic on November 28.
Referees in Turkey are often criticized by club managers and presidents for their decisions, but they are rarely the target of violent attacks.
Ankaracucu ranks 11th in the Super League with 18 points, three places behind Rizespor, who has 22 points from 15 matches.
In a shocking turn of events, Ankara Gocu President Faruk Koca has resigned from his position after allegedly punching the referee during a Turkish League match. The incident has led to outrage and the suspension of the Turkish League indefinitely. This unprecedented action has sent shockwaves through the football community, leaving fans and officials grappling with the aftermath of Koca’s violent act. The repercussions of this incident are far-reaching, and it has sparked discussions about the behavior of football officials and the state of the Turkish League.