Football ref loses spleen in cop’s red card rage

A 17-year-old football referee from Valencia has had his spleen removed after being attacked by a policeman that he red-carded during a game.

Published: 19 February 2013 17:38 CET

Football ref loses spleen in cop's red card rage

A high school-aged referee lost his spleen in the red-card assault. Photo: Patrik Stollarz/AFP

The engraged policeman-player assaulted Héctor Giner Tarazón, a teenaged match official during a regional tie played on Sunday.

The off-duty officer of the law assaulted the referee after he was told to leave the playing area, reported the Valencia site of ABC newspaper.

The enraged cop first punched the young referee, a highschool student. When the boy fell to the ground, the police officer then kicked him several times.

The referee´s injuries were so severe that he had to be rushed to el Arnau de Vilanova de Valencia where his spleen was amputated.

The horrific incident took place in a second division regional match between Los Silos and Mislata UF B.

According to ABC, scores were level at two goals a piece when the young referee made a controversial call.

The policeman involved was 10 years older than the young match official.

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