Footballer arrested after viciously punching referee to ground when he showed him red card

A FOOTBALLER was arrested after punching a referee to the ground in retaliation for being shown a red card. Footage filmed from the stands shows the player lunging at the official and flooring him with a single, forceful punch to the face. The incident involving the footballer punching the referee is circled here Credit: Jam Press Play Dream Team this season! £100,000 in prize money up for grabs in 2026/27 Free to enter Play in Mini Leagues against your mates £60,000 jackpot for the overall winner £1,000 prize for winning Gameweek 1 PLAY DREAM TEAM NOW! Gasps could be heard from spectators as police officers providing security at the match rushed onto the pitch and grabbed the player before he could leave. The violent scenes unfolded during a regional league match in Capitan Bermudez, Argentina, last Sunday. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! The assault took place in the 35th minute, with the score at 1-1, after referee Hugo Walter Masuelli sent off Club Barrio Quinta player Jorge Godoy for a foul on the edge of his own penalty area. In retaliation for the red card, Godoy, 35, punched 53-year-old Masuelli in the right cheekbone, leaving him sprawled on the grass. Police officers intervened immediately and arrested Godoy. Although his teammates tried to prevent officers from taking him away, they escorted him to a local police station, where he was placed at the disposal of the duty prosecutor. The referee received medical attention at the scene and was later taken to a local health centre for further checks. The match was suspended as a result of the incident, as reported by NeedToKnow. Most read in Sport Barrio Quinta, the visiting team, said in a statement: “Our club considers any type of assault, threat, insult or violent behaviour, whether on or off the pitch, to be absolutely unacceptable. “These acts do not represent the values we promote or the sporting spirit that should prevail at every match. “We also express our solidarity and support for the referee involved, as well as for everyone who may have been affected by the incident.” The home team, Club Santa Catalina, said it would not file a report and would instead await a decision from the Sanlorencina Regional Football League and its Disciplinary Tribunal. At the time of the latest update, Godoy was still being held at the police station. Comment now