Faruk Koca, the president of MKE Ankaragucu, has resigned following his on-pitch attack on referee Halil Umut Meler.
His unruly behavior towards the referee happened despite originally stating that he only intended to spit at the official.
The incident occurred after Monday night's match, December 11, between Ankaragucu and Caykur Rizespor in the Turkish Super Lig, with Koca violently striking the referee's cheek beneath his left eye.
Meanwhile, the assault on the esteemed referee, Halil Umut Meler has caused a major crisis in Turkish football and raised further concerns about the country's institutions.
The MKE Ankaragucu president, Faruk Koca, punched the referee in the face after his team conceded a late equalizer in the Turkish capital against Super Lig rivals Caykur Rizespor.
Rizespor scored a late equalizer to finish the match 1-1 against Ankaragucu, who had taken an early lead and appeared poised to win the game.
Furious fans then stormed the pitch and kicked the injured referee while he was lying on the pitch helplessly.
The referee was rushed to the hospital and treated for a fractured eye socket and other bodily injuries.
Following the attack, the Ankaragucu's club president resigned and has been placed in pre-trial detention along with two others.
The violence has also led to an indefinite suspension of Turkish Super Lig games.
Daily Mail reports that the 37-year-old referee, who is on Uefa's elite list, is now considering quitting as a result of the humiliation and attack.
The Turkish authorities have publicly criticized the actions, and FIFA and UEFA have also condemned the violent incidents.
The Turkish Football Federation, in a statement on X, criticized the "inhumane, despicable attack" and attributed it partly to the "irresponsible statements of club presidents, managers, coaches, and TV commentators targeting referees".
Also, Turkey President Erdogan, and the justice department swiftly responded to Monday night's attack, with Erdogan posting on X: "Sports represents peace and brotherhood...We will not tolerate violence in Turkish sports."
Turkish football has a history of violence, leading to a significant police presence at matches nationwide.
In March, six individuals were arrested for using fireworks before and after a game between Bursaspor and Amedspor.
Also, in September of last year, a fan stormed the field and violently kicked a Besiktas player after a match against Ankaragucu.
Faruk Koca initially told the Turkish media that the incident was a result of the referee's incorrect decisions and provocative behavior.
The Ankaragucu president had previously denied causing the referee's fractured eye socket and stated that he had only intended to spit in the referee's face.
He told CNN Turk: ''I aimed to react verbally to the referee and spit in his face."
''At this time, I slapped the referee in the face. The slap I gave did not cause a fracture."
''After the slap I gave, the referee stood for about 5-10 seconds, then threw himself on the ground."
"They immediately removed me from the scene because of my heart disease. Other than that, I am not aware of any incident that took place.''
However, in a statement on the club website, he expressed deep sadness that "the club I manage, the football community, and our country are associated with such an event and image".
He also offered apologies to the referee, his family, and the broader Turkish nation for his behavior.
The issue is currently under investigation by the justice ministry and the AKP's disciplinary board is reviewing a request from the party to expel Mr. Koca.
However, Turkey's judiciary has faced criticism for its lack of autonomy, and Prof Senuva believes that there is a widespread belief, particularly on social media, that Faruk Koca's connections could influence the court proceedings in his favor.
His unruly behavior towards the referee happened despite originally stating that he only intended to spit at the official.
What happened?
The incident occurred after Monday night's match, December 11, between Ankaragucu and Caykur Rizespor in the Turkish Super Lig, with Koca violently striking the referee's cheek beneath his left eye.
Meanwhile, the assault on the esteemed referee, Halil Umut Meler has caused a major crisis in Turkish football and raised further concerns about the country's institutions.
The MKE Ankaragucu president, Faruk Koca, punched the referee in the face after his team conceded a late equalizer in the Turkish capital against Super Lig rivals Caykur Rizespor.
Rizespor scored a late equalizer to finish the match 1-1 against Ankaragucu, who had taken an early lead and appeared poised to win the game.
Furious fans then stormed the pitch and kicked the injured referee while he was lying on the pitch helplessly.
The referee was rushed to the hospital and treated for a fractured eye socket and other bodily injuries.
Following the attack, the Ankaragucu's club president resigned and has been placed in pre-trial detention along with two others.
The violence has also led to an indefinite suspension of Turkish Super Lig games.
Daily Mail reports that the 37-year-old referee, who is on Uefa's elite list, is now considering quitting as a result of the humiliation and attack.
Turkish Authority and Football governing body have condemned the attack
The Turkish authorities have publicly criticized the actions, and FIFA and UEFA have also condemned the violent incidents.
The Turkish Football Federation, in a statement on X, criticized the "inhumane, despicable attack" and attributed it partly to the "irresponsible statements of club presidents, managers, coaches, and TV commentators targeting referees".
Also, Turkey President Erdogan, and the justice department swiftly responded to Monday night's attack, with Erdogan posting on X: "Sports represents peace and brotherhood...We will not tolerate violence in Turkish sports."
Turkish football has a history of violence, leading to a significant police presence at matches nationwide.
In March, six individuals were arrested for using fireworks before and after a game between Bursaspor and Amedspor.
Also, in September of last year, a fan stormed the field and violently kicked a Besiktas player after a match against Ankaragucu.
Faruk Koca explained why he punched the referee
Faruk Koca initially told the Turkish media that the incident was a result of the referee's incorrect decisions and provocative behavior.
The Ankaragucu president had previously denied causing the referee's fractured eye socket and stated that he had only intended to spit in the referee's face.
He told CNN Turk: ''I aimed to react verbally to the referee and spit in his face."
''At this time, I slapped the referee in the face. The slap I gave did not cause a fracture."
''After the slap I gave, the referee stood for about 5-10 seconds, then threw himself on the ground."
"They immediately removed me from the scene because of my heart disease. Other than that, I am not aware of any incident that took place.''
However, in a statement on the club website, he expressed deep sadness that "the club I manage, the football community, and our country are associated with such an event and image".
He also offered apologies to the referee, his family, and the broader Turkish nation for his behavior.
What's likely to happen?
The issue is currently under investigation by the justice ministry and the AKP's disciplinary board is reviewing a request from the party to expel Mr. Koca.
However, Turkey's judiciary has faced criticism for its lack of autonomy, and Prof Senuva believes that there is a widespread belief, particularly on social media, that Faruk Koca's connections could influence the court proceedings in his favor.