Football’s culture of disrespect must change to save referees from more violence
In unsurprising news, the Turkish football club president who punched referee Halil Umut Meler in the face on Monday night has taken no responsibility for his actions. “This incident developed due to the wrong decisions and provocative behaviour of the referee,” explained Faruk Koca. Presumably, the “a” is silent.
Koca, who runs Super Lig club Ankaragucu, said he was merely planning to spit in the referee’s face after the 1-1 draw with Rizespor when impulse took hold. “I slapped the referee … After my slap, the referee threw himself on the ground. They immediately removed me from the scene because I have a heart condition.”
Meler is in hospital with a along with two other attackers. The Turkish justice system must come down hard with life bans from sport and criminal sentences, though Koca is a well-connected businessman and former politician, so we shall see.
