The referee who was punched in the face by a club president has discussed the incident after a lifetime ban was handed out to his attacker.
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Last week Monday, Turkish match official Halil Umut Meler was violently attacked by Ankaragucu president Faruk Koca at the end of a Turkish Super Lig match.
The referee was first punched in the face by Koca, who had furiously stormed on to the field after his side conceded a late equaliser and who has since been handed a lifetime ban from football, before the match official was kicked in the head while on the ground.
In a recent interview, Meler insisted he will never forgive Koca for the incident, nor the people whom he believes caused it.
"No, I did not forgive [Koca], I will not forgive," he told Turkish newspaper Hurriyet.
"The person who did this punched me, I collapsed and fell to the ground. But the actual kicking while I was on the ground will be something I will never forget for the rest of my life.
"That's why, in conscience, I will never forgive. I will not forgive in any way, I will never forgive those who did it or those who provoked it."
Koca, 59, was arrested the day after his horrific actions and apologised for his actions that same day.
"After the match we played against Caykur Rizespor last night, due to my attitude towards the referee Halil Umut Meler, who managed the match, Mr. Meler and his family, in particular; I apologise to the Turkish referee community, sports public and our nation," he said, according to the Mirror.
"How and why the subject came to this point is independent of the event. No matter how great injustice or wrong it is, nothing can legitimise or explain the violence that I committed, which I definitely did not desire.
"Sports fields should be the venue for gentlemanly competition. Any attitude that casts a shadow on fair play, including my own, should not be present in stadiums or halls.
Check Out: Club President Who Punched Referee Talks In Court, Resigns From Job
"I would like to take this opportunity to apologise again to everyone I have upset. I would like it to be known that I am deeply saddened that both the club I manage, the football community, and our country are remembered with such an event and image."
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