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Club President Who Punched Referee Talks In Court, Resigns From Job

Club President Who Punched Referee Talks In Court, Resigns From Job

The club president who punched a referee in the face has reportedly spoken in court for the first time since being arrested, while he has also resigned from his job. 

Check Out: SHOCK: League Suspended After Referee Punched Kicked In Head!

According to Reuters, Ankaragucu chief Faruk Koca has stepped down from his role and the club has already appointed his replacement. 

Koca was reportedly detained on Monday night following his violent actions, but was formally arrested on Tuesday and has appeared in court. 

The ex-club president stormed on to the field after his former side's draw with Rizespor in the Turkish Super Lig before punching match official Halil Umut Meler, who was then kicked in the face and body by other people. 

The report claims Koca told a court on Tuesday that the "incident developed due to the wrong decisions and provocative behaviour of the referee. My aim was to react verbally to the referee and spit in his face".

Meler, who has been pictured in hospital, meanwhile, said Koca threatened to kill him during the shocking scenes. 

"Faruk Koca punched me under my left eye; I fell to the ground. While I was on the ground, other people kicked me in the face and other parts of my body many times," he said.

"Koca said to me and my colleagues, 'I will finish you'. Addressing me, he said, 'I will kill you'."

Turkey's Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said Koca and two others were arrested on Tuesday after prosecutors took statements from them. 

"The investigation is continuing meticulously," he wrote on social platform X (formerly Twitter). 

Check Out: Official: FIFA Release Statement After Referee Punched In Europe

The Turkish Super Lig remains suspended by the Turkish Football Federation. 

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