President of Turkish club Ankaragucu who attacked referee was given Fair Play Award 14 months ago

The football club president who has been arrested for punching a referee was given a Fair Play Award by the Turkish Super Lig last year.

Ankaragucu president Faruk Koca hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons on Monday after a shocking attack on match official Halil Umut Meler.

The incident occurred at the conclusion of Ankaragucu’s draw 1-1 with Rizespor in the Turkish Super Lig.

Rizespor netted a last-gasp leveller to earn themselves a point but as the referee stood next to his assistants at full time, Koca raced towards the official before punching him in the face, while another man kicked him whilst he was on the ground, causing swelling to his eye.

Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc has since revealed Koca and two others were formally arrested for 'injuring a public official'.

Incredibly, the incident comes just 14 months after Koca was given a Fair Play Award.

The 59-year-old was awarded the Fair Play/Good Sportsmanship President/Executive Award by the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) in October 2022.

As a result of the attack, all Turkish league games have been suspended indefinitely as the Turkish Football Federation plans to hold an extraordinary meeting to discuss the next steps.

The incident has shocked the football community and such was the magnitude of the attack, even Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned Koca’s actions.

He said: “Sports means peace and brotherhood. Sport is incompatible with violence. We will never allow violence to take place in Turkish sports.”

Ankaragucu took to social media shortly after the mayhem and apologised for what was described as a ‘sad incident’.

“As MKE Ankaragucu Sports Club, we are saddened by the incident that took place this evening.

“We apologise to the Turkish football