12-match referee suspended for assaulting Mexican league player
The Mexican Football Federation announced the suspension of a local referee 12 matches for hitting the knee of an Argentine player on Saturday in the match between America and Leon, within the fourteenth phase of the final tournament of the local league.
"Referee Fernando Hernández Gómez was sanctioned for his violent behavior against a player," the disciplinary committee of the Mexican Federation said in a statement.
The assault occurred in the 64th minute, when the referee showed a yellow card to Colombian Lyon defender Jaini Steven Barrero, and struck a knee between the legs of his Argentine teammate Lucas Romero who was protesting his decision.
The player was suspended for two matches for protesting against Barreiro's yellow card.
The coaches of the Argentine teams Fernando Ortiz (America) and Nicolás Larkamión (León) were also suspended for "violent behavior" following their clash and expulsion during the match that ended in a 2-2 draw at the Esteca Stadium in Mexico City. The Lyon coach even tore his shirt.