A footballer has been arrested after launching a sickening attack on a referee – punching him in the face in the final moments of a match.
Shocking footage shows the player calmly walking up to the unsuspecting official before unleashing a brutal right hook – followed by a second blow.
The referee instantly crumpled to the ground and lay motionless on his back as stunned players looked on.
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The attacker then casually walked away while opposition stars rushed in to help the stricken official.
The ugly scenes unfolded during injury time of a Primera B clash between Defensores de Funes and 7 de Septiembre in Funes, Argentina, on Saturday (18 April).
The home side were leading 1–0 at the time, as reported by Need To Know.
Referee Jesús Campreher suffered a fractured nasal septum and was briefly knocked unconscious by the force of the punch.
The 28 year old was left bloodied and had to be treated on the pitch by a doctor.
Campreher said the violence erupted after he ruled a challenge inside the box was fair.
He told local media: “He turns around and insults me twice.
“As the ball is coming back into play, I go to show the red card – and as I reach for it, I’m hit.
“It was a complete sucker punch because I didn’t see it coming.
“At no point did I see him coming towards me.
“When he hits me, I go down – I must have been out for about 10 seconds.
“When they rolled me onto my side, I came round.”
The match was immediately abandoned, with police called to the ground.
The player – named as Gastón Acosta – was arrested at the scene.
Campreher has since filed a formal complaint.
He said: “My whole nose is swollen, so I’m not able to breathe through my nose.”
Footie chiefs are now expected to come down hard, with the Rosario Football Association set to consider disciplinary action against Acosta and possibly his club, 7 de Septiembre.
Despite the shocking attack, the ref insists he won’t be driven out of the game.
Campreher added: “I’m going to carry on – that’s not in doubt.”
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