Referee floored by punch after red card as player arrested in Argentina

A footballer was arrested after punching a referee in the face and knocking him to the ground during a regional league match in Argentina.

The incident happened in the 35th minute of a game in Capitan Bermudez, with the score level at 1-1. Referee Hugo Walter Masuelli had sent off Barrio Quinta player Jorge Godoy for a foul near the edge of his own penalty area.

Godoy, 35, reacted to the red card by punching 53-year-old Masuelli on the right cheekbone. The referee fell heavily on to the grass after being struck.

Footage recorded from the stands shows Godoy moving towards the official before landing a single punch. Gasps can be heard from spectators as police officers providing security at the match rushed on to the pitch.

The officers arrested Godoy before he could leave the ground. Although some of his team-mates attempted to stop the police from taking him away, he was escorted to a local police station and placed at the disposal of the duty prosecutor.

Masuelli received medical attention at the stadium before being taken to a local health centre for further examinations. The match was suspended after the attack.

The footage has been widely shared on social media, while the incident was also reported by The Sun.

Barrio Quinta, the visiting team, condemned the violence in a statement.

“Our club considers any type of assault, threat, insult or violent behaviour, whether inside or outside the pitch, to be completely unacceptable.”

The club added: “These actions do not represent the values we promote or the sportsmanship that should prevail in every match. We also express our solidarity and support for the referee concerned, as well as for everyone affected by the incident.”

The home side, Santa Catalina, said it would not submit a report of its own and would instead wait for a decision from the Liga Regional Sanlorencina de Futbol and its disciplinary board.

The match had been taking place in the regional league in Capitan Bermudez when the confrontation occurred. The red card followed a foul by Godoy close to his own penalty area, with neither side ahead at the time.

As of the time of publication, Godoy remained in custody at the police station. No further details about any potential disciplinary or legal action had been given.