Soccer-Turkish club president given permanent ban for punching referee

Soccer Football - Super Lig - MKE Ankaragucu v Caykur Rizespor - Eryaman Stadium - Ankara, Turkey - December 11, 2023 MKE Ankaragucu President Faruk Koca reacts as the referee Halil Umut Meler lies on the ground at the end of their Super Lig home match against Caykur Rizespor REUTERS/Abdurrahman Antakyali/Depo Photo

ISTANBUL (Reuters) -The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) said on Thursday its disciplinary board had imposed a permanent ban on Ankaragucu club president Faruk Koca for punching a referee after a game in the country's top soccer league.

The TFF board also ruled that Ankaragucu, a club in the top-tier Super Lig, should pay a two-million-lira ($69,000) fine and would play five home games without fans as a result of the unrest involving fans and club officials.