A former football chief in Turkey's Super Lig was sentenced to more than three years in prison Monday over an on-pitch attack on a referee, the Anadolu news agency reported. The incident occurred in December 2023 following a 1-1 draw between Ankara's MKA Ankaragucu and visiting Caykur Rizespor in Turkey's top flight.

Footage from the scene showed Ankaragucu's then president Faruk Koca rushing onto the pitch and punching referee Halil Umut Meler after he blew the final whistle, shouting: "I'm going to kill you!"

He appeared to be incensed over the ref's decision to send off one of his players, and disallowing an earlier goal by Ankaragucu. Caykur had scored an equaliser in injury time.

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Denouncing the attack as "despicable", the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) suspended Super Lig matches for eight days and initiated criminal proceedings against Koca and several others.

Several days later, Koca apologised and resigned as club president but insisted his team had been cheated by the referee.

The court on Monday handed him three years and seven months for "intentional injury to a public sports official" as well as six months and 20 days for "making threats".

It also handed him a five-month suspended sentence for "violating the law on violence prevention in sports".

During the incident, the referee -- who fell to the ground after being punched -- was also kicked several times by other club officials, leaving him with a head trauma.

The court also handed prison sentences to three other officials for causing, or trying to cause, "intentional injury" to a public sports official, with sentences ranging from one to five years behind bars.

The incident provoked uproar in Turkey and a flurry of condemnation, including from FIFA, football's world governing body.

Disclaimer:&nbsp;This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

A former football chief in Turkey's Super Lig was sentenced to more than three years in prison Monday over an on-pitch attack on a referee, the Anadolu news agency reported.

A former football chief in Turkey's Super Lig was sentenced to more than three years in prison Monday over an on-pitch attack on a referee, the Anadolu news agency reported. The incident occurred in December 2023 following a 1-1 draw between Ankara's MKA Ankaragucu and visiting Caykur Rizespor in Turkey's top flight. Footage from the scene showed Ankaragucu's then president Faruk Koca rushing onto the pitch and punching referee Halil Umut Meler after he blew the final whistle, shouting: "I'm going to kill you!" He appeared to be incensed over the ref's decision to send off one of his players, and disallowing an earlier goal by Ankaragucu. Caykur had scored an equaliser in injury time. ALSO READ: Injuries rock Barcelona as Robert Lewandowski out for 10 days, Lamine Yamal up to three weeks Denouncing the attack as "despicable", the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) suspended Super Lig matches for eight days and initiated criminal proceedings against Koca and several others. Several days later, Koca apologised and resigned as club president but insisted his team had been cheated by the referee. The court on Monday handed him three years and seven months for "intentional injury to a public sports official" as well as six months and 20 days for "making threats". It also handed him a five-month suspended sentence for "violating the law on violence prevention in sports". During the incident, the referee -- who fell to the ground after being punched -- was also kicked several times by other club officials, leaving him with a head trauma. The court also handed prison sentences to three other officials for causing, or trying to cause, "intentional injury" to a public sports official, with sentences ranging from one to five years behind bars. The incident provoked uproar in Turkey and a flurry of condemnation, including from FIFA, football's world governing body. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Ex-Turkey football club chief sentenced over on-field attack on referee

Turkish Football Federation has announced the resumption of playing activities from December 19 after they were suspended on Tuesday (Dec 12) for violent scenes. On Monday, MKE Ankaragucu President Faruk Koca along with two other men attacked referee Halil Umut Meler after a Turkish Super League match against Caykur Kizespor. The match ended in a 1-1 draw which resulted in violent actions from the Ankaragucu officials later resulting in suspension of the league and all football activities.

<h2>Football to resume on December 19</h2>

"We had decided to postpone the matches in all leagues indefinitely. With the decision we took today, all leagues will restart on Tuesday, December 19," Turkish Football Federation chief Mehmet Buyukeksi said.

He told reporters that weekend matches will be rescheduled to help deal with the incident's repercussions.

"We expect Halil Umut Meler to take part in Euro 2024. There is no possibility of him quitting refereeing right now."

What was the incident?

Koca was seen running onto the pitch after the match concluded on Monday night where his side Ankaragucu conceded a penalty in the 97th minute. The resulting penalty was scored by Adolfo Gaich which saw Caykur Kizespor salvage a point. The match had plenty of flash points which had seen Ankaragucu go down to 10 men after Ali Sowe was sent off in the 50th minute for the hosts. However, despite this Ankaragucu led until the 97th minute before the penalty was converted having earlier taken the lead in the 14th minute through Olimpiu Morutan.

After the final whistle, Koca and two others ran onto the pitch and attacked the referee while punching and stamping referee Meler. It was later reported by Turkish media that Meler had suffered a facial fracture and an injury to the eye.

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As a consequence of the incident, Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan suspended all football activities in the nation. It was also later revealed that he spoke to referee Meler and said that "saddened and disturbed" him.

However, referee Meler is now fine and released a statement about the incident where he suffered serious injuries to his eye.

"Faruk Koca punched me under my left eye and I fell to the ground. While I was on the ground, they kicked my face and other parts of my body many times," Meler said.

"Faruk Koca told me and my fellow referees: 'I will finish you'. Addressing me in particular, he said: 'I will kill you'."

Turkish Football Federation has announced the resumption of playing activities from December 19 after they were suspended on Tuesday (Dec 12) for violent scenes.

Turkish Football Federation has announced the resumption of playing activities from December 19 after they were suspended on Tuesday (Dec 12) for violent scenes. On Monday, MKE Ankaragucu President Faruk Koca along with two other men attacked referee Halil Umut Meler after a Turkish Super League match against Caykur Kizespor. The match ended in a 1-1 draw which resulted in violent actions from the Ankaragucu officials later resulting in suspension of the league and all football activities. Football to resume on December 19 "We had decided to postpone the matches in all leagues indefinitely. With the decision we took today, all leagues will restart on Tuesday, December 19," Turkish Football Federation chief Mehmet Buyukeksi said. He told reporters that weekend matches will be rescheduled to help deal with the incident's repercussions. "We expect Halil Umut Meler to take part in Euro 2024. There is no possibility of him quitting refereeing right now." What was the incident? Koca was seen running onto the pitch after the match concluded on Monday night where his side Ankaragucu conceded a penalty in the 97th minute. The resulting penalty was scored by Adolfo Gaich which saw Caykur Kizespor salvage a point. The match had plenty of flash points which had seen Ankaragucu go down to 10 men after Ali Sowe was sent off in the 50th minute for the hosts. However, despite this Ankaragucu led until the 97th minute before the penalty was converted having earlier taken the lead in the 14th minute through Olimpiu Morutan. After the final whistle, Koca and two others ran onto the pitch and attacked the referee while punching and stamping referee Meler. It was later reported by Turkish media that Meler had suffered a facial fracture and an injury to the eye. ALSO READ | Explained: How Team India has problems aplenty for 2024 T20 World Cup As a consequence of the incident, Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan suspended all football activities in the nation. It was also later revealed that he spoke to referee Meler and said that "saddened and disturbed" him. However, referee Meler is now fine and released a statement about the incident where he suffered serious injuries to his eye. "Faruk Koca punched me under my left eye and I fell to the ground. While I was on the ground, they kicked my face and other parts of my body many times," Meler said. "Faruk Koca told me and my fellow referees: 'I will finish you'. Addressing me in particular, he said: 'I will kill you'."

Turkey referee punched: Football to resume on December 19 after suspension due to violent scenes

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Ex-Turkey football club chief sentenced over on-field attack on referee

Turkey referee punched: Football to resume on December 19 after suspension due to violent scenes