Turkish football referee discharged from hospital after physically attacked by club president

ANKARA, TÜRKİYE (DECEMBER 13, 2023 : Turkish football referee Halil Umut Meler attacked by the chairman of the top-tier league club MKE Ankaragucu was discharged from the hospital after completing his treatment on Wednesday, Dec. 13.Earlier in the day, Ankaragucu chair Faruk Koca resigned from his post after a shocking incident on Monday in which he punched one of the game referees."I resign from the MKE Ankaragucu presidency as of now to prevent any further harm to the Ankaragucu Club, their fans, the community I am in, and my family," said a press statement by Faruk Koca, who headed the club in Ankara, the Turkish capital."I would like you to know how I am deeply saddened that the club I manage, the football community, and our country are remembered with such an event and image," he added.Koca, 59, was remanded into custody on Tuesday for punching Turkish referee Halil Umut Meler in the face after a Monday Super Lig match with visitors Caykur Rizespor that had ended in a 1-1 draw.(Footage by Ahmet Alican Koç /Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)