Faruk Koca, then chairman of Ankaragucu, who played in the Turkish Super League, punched referee Halil Umut Meler in the head in December.
Former chairman of the Turkish football team Ankaragucu Faruk Koca was sentenced on Monday to three years and seven months in prison for intentionally harming a civil servant.
Koca was the club’s chairman in December when he kicked the referee after a Turkish Super League match that ended in a 1-1 draw against Rizespor Halil Umut Meleri with a fist to the head.
In the situation, Meler got a fracture in the corner of his eye and fell to the ground as a result of the punch, whereupon a few other people kicked him. Turkish soccer leagues were briefly suspended as a result of the incident.
Koca resigned as chairman shortly after the incident. Ankaragucu got fines of around 54,000 euros for hitting and had to play five of their home matches without supporters.
Tuesday Ankaragucu took a stand To Kocan’s sentence, which it considers excessive. The current president of the club Ismail Mert Firat played down the seriousness of the case and claimed that the court had resigned itself to following the opinions of citizens.
The club’s press release reminded that Koca had done a lot of good for Turkish football during his three-year presidency and assessed that the punishment is unnecessarily harsh because Koca resigned and apologized for his behavior after the beating.
Three other people also received sentences ranging from 15 months to five years. Everyone is expected to appeal the decision.
Ankaragucu fell to the second highest league level for this season. It is currently sixth in the standings.