Faruk Koca, who punched Halil Umut Meler, welcomed with enthusiasm by fans!

Faruk Koca, who punched referee Halil Umut Meler after the MKE Ankaragücü-Çaykur Rizespor match in the Super Lig and was arrested the following day and sent to Sincan Closed Penal Execution Institution, was released today under judicial control following an appeal by his lawyers.

Released in the afternoon and having returned home, Faruk Koca met in the evening with the yellow-navy fans who had decided to keep watch at the Tandoğan Facilities until his release.

Thousands of fans, who welcomed Faruk Koca with fireworks and torches, showed their affection for him.

Addressing the fans who welcomed him, Faruk Koca apologized again for the events that took place and stated the following:

"I thank you all for the support you have given here day and night for the past 15 days. I am very embarrassed and sad for causing you to experience such an event. It was something unexpected of me. I apologize to the world agenda, the Turkish agenda, and especially the children, women, and oppressed people of Gaza for occupying their agenda, and I ask for their forgiveness. Because while oppression continues, while the massacre continues, the agenda should have been those oppressed people."

"I would like to express my sadness for taking over the agenda of the martyrs in Turkey. The agenda should have been them. With so much pain and suffering, I am very sorry for occupying the agenda with this issue. I apologize to my friends who have known me throughout my 35-year commercial, political, and social life and did not expect such a thing from me."

"WE MUST NOT GIVE A REASON THAT WOULD MAKE THE UNJUST RIGHT"

Emphasizing that he has always opposed injustice, Koca said, "There are some values I have adopted as principles in life. We must not give a reason that would make the unjust or the thief right. Unfortunately, with a punch against those who committed these acts, I made it seem as if I made them right. The only thing that all clubs and fans around the world expect is justice. For people who come to the stadium by cutting from their children's bread, watching a football match is their greatest luxury. Please let us empathize so as not to violate the rights of these people."

"TO BE A MAN IS TO REACT TO WRONGDOING"

Stating that what he did was not right, Faruk Koca continued his remarks as follows:

"I never defend this action I took. All my friends who know me can be sure that I am perhaps the last person to commit such an act. However, we are human, we are fallible. We react to the wrongs and injustices we see. The form of the reaction may be wrong, but to be human, to be a man, is to react and object to injustice and wrongdoing.

There are certain values I have adopted as principles in life. I do not want to accept any title I have not earned. I do not want to emerge from this as a heroic figure. Heroes are the oppressed people of the world, regardless of religion, language, or race."

"I THANK EVERYONE WHO SHARED MY PAIN"

Emphasizing that he felt a guilty conscience for being in the spotlight for such an incident while the nation was mourning its martyrs, Koca said, "I would like to thank everyone who visited me in prison and shared my pain regarding this heinous, painful, and unintentional incident. I cannot repay them. I especially thank everyone who showed resistance in this winter cold and brought comfort to the hearts of this community, which has been subjected to injustice.

Do not leave the club alone. I thank the club presidents, football fans, Union of Clubs Foundation President Ali Koç, and the club presidents who did not withhold their support regarding this matter in Turkey and around the world. I also thank all the club fans who sent messages to the prison, as well as those who sent lawyers and representatives," he concluded.

News Source: 12punto