Faruk Koca, the former president of MKE Ankaragücü, who attacked referee Halil Umut Meler after the final whistle of the MKE Ankaragücü-Çaykur Rizespor match played at the Eryaman Stadium on December 11 in the Super League, was arrested as part of the investigation. Koca, against whom an indictment was issued, was released from Sincan Penal and Execution Institution pending trial after his lawyers’ objection to his detention was accepted. Yunus Şahin and Kenan Çetinkaya, who were arrested together with Faruk Koca, continue to be detained.
FIST ATTACK
After the Super League match ended in a 1-1 draw at Eryaman Stadium on December 11, Faruk Koca came onto the field and attacked the referee of the match, Halil Umut Meler, with a punch. Meler, who fell to the ground with a blow, was kicked by the other defendants on the ground. In the indictment prepared by the Ankara West Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office regarding the investigation, it was stated about Koca, ‘Intentionally causing injury in a way to cause bone fractures in the sports field due to the public duty performed by the person’, ‘Threat’ and ‘Entering prohibited areas’, and about the other defendants, ‘Due to the public duty performed by the person’. A penalty was requested for the crimes of ‘intentionally causing injury in a sports field in a way that would cause bone fracture’ and ‘entering prohibited areas’.
“IT FELT LIKE I PROVENED THEM RIGHT WITH A FIST”
Faruk Koca, the former president of MKE Ankaragücü Club, who was arrested during the investigation into the fist attack on referee Halil Umut Meler and released pending trial, went to Ankaragücü Tandoğan Facilities after his release from prison. After being welcomed with shows of love from the fans, Koca made a press statement. Faruk Koca thanked the fans for their support here day and night for 15 days and said, “I am very ashamed and sorry for causing you such an incident. It was something that was not expected from me. First of all, for occupying the world agenda, Turkey’s agenda, especially the agenda of Gaza children and the oppressed people of the world.” I apologize to all of them and ask for forgiveness. Because while the oppression and massacre continues, the agenda should have been theirs. Then, I would like to express my sadness again for receiving the agenda of the martyrs in Turkey. The agenda should have been theirs. While there is so much pain and suffering. “I would like to express that I am truly sorry for occupying the agenda with this issue,” he said.
Apologizing to all his friends who knew him through his 35 years of commercial, political and social life and who did not expect such an action from him, Koca said: “They should forgive me. There are only some values that I have adopted as a principle in life, and I have always shared this with my friends; We need to give a reason to justify injustice and theft. Unfortunately, I felt like I justified the perpetrators of this incident with a punch against them, but I have to say this; the only thing that all clubs, all fans in Turkey and all fans in the world expect is justice. These people are losing the livelihood of their children. Their greatest luxury is to watch the football match that makes them happy. I say these people’s rights to all parties; the federation, the referees, the clubs, please let us empathize in order not to violate the rights of these people. Look, I insist on not making any discrimination against these oppressed people, these friends, these fans, all the clubs. Because being a fan. It’s something else. It’s a job done wholeheartedly, with love, without any expectations or calculations. It is our responsibility to take these people’s rights into account with empathy. Club presidents, the federation, referees and commentators are all responsible. Please let’s pay attention to this.
“PERHAPS I AM ONE OF THE LAST PERSONS WHO WILL TAKE THIS ACTION”
Stating that he never defended this action, Koca said, “Maybe I am one of the last people to do this action, but we are human beings, we react to the wrongs and injustices we see because we are human. The form of the reaction may be wrong, but being human, being a man, reacting to injustice.” “It means to give, to object to the wrong. I also ask for forgiveness from you for your action,” he said.
“I CALL ‘JUSTICE’ TO ALL STAKEHOLDERS”
Stating that he does not want to receive any undeserved title, Koca said, “I do not want to appear here as a hero or a figure. Heroes are the oppressed people of the world, regardless of religion, language or race. These days, heroes belong to Muslims from Gaza, children from Gaza, women from Gaza. We have violated their rights and are here.” “I do not want to appear as a heroic figure. I only ask for justice to all stakeholders for these events from today onwards,” he said.
“FANS OF ALL CLUBS ALL SENT MESSAGES TO THE PRISON”
Stating that their hearts are broken these days, Koca said, “I want all the media, all the public, to put yourself in my shoes. I want to share with you the remorse I feel for keeping the agenda busy with this issue while the hearts of mothers have been burning for how many days, how many martyrs we have, and the pain of those martyrs. O I ask for forgiveness from the martyrs. May everyone forgive me. I would like to thank my friends who know me, my true friends, and everyone who visited me in prison and shared my pain in this matter because of this abominable event, this painful event that I did unwillingly. I cannot repay them. Everyone. I thank you, do not leave the club alone. I would like to thank the club presidents, football lovers, especially the Clubs Association and our President of the Clubs Association, Mr. Ali Koç. All the fans of all the clubs, regardless of any club, sent messages and declared their support. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone. ” said.