Investigation of a football referee who kicked a player in the thigh

The Mexican Football Federation has opened an investigation after a video emerged of a referee kicking a player with his knee in the thigh during Saturday's America-Lyon match.

Television footage showed referee Fernando Hernandez kicking Lyon midfielder Lucas Romero with his knee as he angrily asked his teammates for VAR review after America scored the equaliser.

The panel of referees said the results of the investigation would be announced upon completion.

Although local media condemned the stance, Romero did not call for Hernandez to be punished, saying it was a misunderstanding.

"Surely (referees) are human beings, and many times they can make mistakes that ultimately lead to the development of what happened, a lot of misunderstandings.
"I am not demanding anything (any form of punishment), he told me that what he did was not intentional. But only because they respect us also because we respect them on the pitch because they are the authority."

Former referee Felipe Ramos Rizzo said the referee's actions were unacceptable.

He added via his account on «Twitter»: «The referee kicked the Lyon player with his knee, and this may cost Fernando Hernandez his career. How do you explain this assault from the referee?"