An investigation is underway after a participant’s father assaulted a referee following a heated junior soccer match in Switzerland.
The incident occurred after FC Villmergen C-Junior’s 4-2 defeat to SC Schoftland on Saturday night.
In response to reviews, the daddy of a Villmergen participant confronted the referee and allegedly shouted, “Are you aware what soccer means?” earlier than punching the official.
Social media footage exhibits the person carrying a black vest and shorts striking the referee, who then stumbles again whereas holding his face.
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Bystanders rapidly intervened to separate the 2.
A membership coach claimed the daddy was livid over what he believed was a harsh foul in opposition to his son in the course of the match.
FC Villmergen condemned the assault in a press release and is contemplating banning the mum or dad from future video games.
The native soccer affiliation has reported the incident to the Swiss Soccer Federation, reigniting issues over referee security.
Regardless of rising aggression towards officers, the federation stays against physique cameras, fearing they might provoke additional confrontations.
Latest information exhibits that referees in Switzerland face abuse, verbal threats or bodily violence in roughly 1 out of each 100 matches.
What have to be executed
Addressing referee assaults in soccer requires a zero-tolerance strategy mixed with systemic reforms.
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At first, perpetrators of violence in opposition to match officers should face extreme penalties, together with lifetime bans from all football-related actions and felony prosecution.
Golf equipment and federations should implement these penalties with out exception to ship a transparent message that such behaviour is unacceptable.
Moreover, implementing obligatory safety measures, equivalent to educated stewards at youth matches and physique cameras for referees, can assist deter incidents and supply proof once they happen.