Mehmet Degirmenci, an amateur soccer player from Turkey, brutally kicked an opponent in the face on Sunday, according to the New York Daily News. Degirmenci, who plays for Sanayispor in Turkey's western Aydin province, earned a red card after a sloppy tackle against rival club Dallicaspor's Kayhan Karakas.
Instead of leaving the field for his ejection, Degirmenci turned to the fallen Karakas and brutally kicked him in the face.
"Thank god that kick came near my jaw. If it had hit me directly in the face, it could have broken my nose, made me blind or break my neck," Karakas told Turkey's Daily Sabah after the match.
Karakas blacked out from the kick and required nine stitches to cover a cut in his lip according to the Daily Sabah. Karakas placed charges against Degirmenci, for "attempted manslaughter," according to Dead Spin.
Despite sustaining serious injuries Karakas attempted to continue the match. Upon returning to the field he fell over due to nausea, and an ambulance was called according to the Daily Sabah.
"I continued playing for a while as I was playing in a team that we have established with great efforts. I did not want to leave my friends alone. I thought I could return to the match after a tampon and ice treatment,"
After the match Degirmenci's club Sanayispor issued a statement apologizing to Karakas, his club Dallicaspor, and announced that Degirmenci had been removed from the club.
Degirmenci spoke to Turkish news outlet Hurriyet after the match, and explained his actions. According to the Turkish newspaper, via Deadspin, Degirmenci claims that Karakas insulted his mother. The red card and the insult was too much, and caused Degirmenci to snap.
"I had no personal problem with Kayhan. It was a heat of the moment thing. I tried to apologize to him after the incident but he refused. I apologize to him. I regret it, but I reproach him for cursing about an educator and mother. I apologize to Kayhan myself and also to the entire football community."
