An attack on a soccer referee in the middle of a game involving 14-year-olds is denounced from all sides, while the aggressor could receive a life suspension.
“I am really shocked by such violence. […] It’s really disturbing as an image, it’s the opposite of what we want to advocate as a message, argued Mathieu Chamberland, general manager of Soccer Quebec. There is no reason, really no reason to justify attacking an official, it’s zero tolerance. »
The unsightly scene, which was caught on camera, quickly made the rounds on social media. We see an individual yelling at the official in an aggressive manner, then approaching with a determined step towards him.
Screenshot, TVA Nouvelles
The attacker started by yelling at the referee, eventually approaching and yelling in his face. The official then pushed him away before the man punched him in the head. Parents later intervened and several rude words were exchanged.
It was then that the assistant referee, only 17 years old, pushed the man away, who replied by punching him in the face.
A parent then intervenes and tackles the aggressive individual. The match is then stopped and rude words are exchanged between several people.
Screenshot, TVA Nouvelles
A player’s grandfather
The event took place on Saturday afternoon when the Saint-Laurent U-14 men’s team, from the Provincial Development League, hosted Celtix du Haut-Richelieu, on a synthetic field in Dollard-Des Ormeaux.
The aggressor of the video has since been identified by the authorities of the Saint-Laurent Soccer Club, which met Monday afternoon urgently because of the events. This is the grandfather of one of the players.
“We are going to summon the person fairly quickly before the disciplinary committee, but for the moment, he is suspended indefinitely from attending the games as long as there is no decision taken”, indicated Guy Hébert, door -word of the organization.
- Listen to Alexandre Dubé at the microphone of Mario Dumont on QUB radio:
According to different versions, a successful equalizer by the visiting team would have caused discontent in the stands, but it was a simple call for offside by the assistant referee victim of violence that would have earned him the blows.
violence increases
Despite the violence of the blow, the 17-year-old did not suffer any significant injuries, although he is shaken by the events, according to his refereeing director.
“He will take a break and then he can decide if he wants to continue or not,” said Robert D’Alesio, adding that support is offered to the referee.
According to Soccer Quebec, their disciplinary committee is called upon to manage about sixty incidents involving officials each year.
“What we can see, there is a minority of incidents that are increasingly violent, which is worrying,” said Mathieu Chamberland, who agrees that reflection must continue in order to make the best prevention.
In a context of shortage of referees, many hope that such aggression will not discourage young people.
what they said
“This act of violence against a young referee must be denounced. Instead of attacking the referees, we should rather encourage them. I appeal to all parents, let’s all be ambassadors of sportsmanship, violence is unacceptable, period! »
– Isabelle Charest, Minister for Leisure and Sports
“Everyone has the right to a healthy and safe place. Soccer Quebec condemns this event and we will do everything to ensure that this individual can no longer return to the area around the fields. »
– Mathieu Chamberland, General Manager of Soccer Quebec
“It’s an unsightly incident and we don’t want it to happen again. […] A chance that someone intervened quickly to prevent it from going further. »
– Guy Hébert, spokesperson for the Saint-Laurent Soccer Club
“We see that there is more and more total lack of respect for referees, at the level of parents and spectators, it is problematic. […] It’s a case of extreme violence, in my career, it’s the worst I’ve seen. »
– Robert D’Alesio, Director of Refereeing, Soccer Lac St-Louis