Football
Adriana Garcia 7y

Referee in Spanish regional league attacked by player

A referee was attacked by a player during a lower league game in Spain after awarding a penalty.

Fahd Aboou El Mourabit, 18, was officiating Sunday's first regional division game between Miralbueno and San Juan in the city of Zaragoza.

Visiting team San Juan converted a penalty in the 20th minute and immediately after, El Mourabit showed Miralbueno goalkeeper a yellow card for dissent.

A Miralbueno player, who has not been named, punched the referee in the face and knocked him to the ground before punching him again.

A video of the attack was posted on Twitter by Radio Estadio.

"I have been officiating since I was 15, but this is the first time it has happened to me," Moroccan-born El Mourabit told Cadena Ser radio.

"I'm still recovering from the shock. I will report it to the police.

"By no means will this incident take away my enthusiasm. I will continue to referee.

"The coaches, the players and the club executives of both teams have all apologised for what has happened."

The player responsible for the attack has been let go by the club and Miralbueno have vehemently condemned the incident.

Miralbueno vice president Angel Baiges told Cadena Ser: "We are just as surprised and shocked by the attack as the referee is.

"It's the first time we face a situation like this. It's deplorable.

"We can only apologise to the referee as this should never happen.

"The player, who had only been a member of our team for three months, has been expelled with immediate effect."

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