Faruk Koca, the former president of the Turkish football club Ankaragücü, has been sentenced to prison following an assault on referee Halil Umut Meler.
The incident happened at the end of 2023 during a match between Ankaragücü and Rizespor. The former club leader resigned due to the incident and later faced charges for attacking a public servant.
According to Anadolu, Koca received a sentence of three years, seven months, and 22 days for beating the referee. Two additional sentences for making threats and violating the law on preventing violence in sports have been postponed.
Previously, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan condemned the attack on referee Meler.
