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Former Ankaragucu President Faruk Koca Permanently Banned for Attacking Referee

The Turkish Football Federation also fined the club and ordered games to be played without fans following the violent incident.

  • Faruk Koca, the former president of MKE Ankaragucu, has been permanently banned by the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) for punching referee Halil Umut Meler after a Super Lig match.
  • Meler, one of Turkey's top referees, was hospitalized with a minor fracture and other injuries.
  • Ankaragucu has been fined two million lira (£54,000) and ordered to play five home games without any fans.
  • Koca was arrested for injuring a public official and has since resigned as club president, issuing an apology for his actions.
  • All Turkish league football games were suspended after the incident but will resume on Tuesday, 19 December.
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