While some are saying that the game of soccer has “gone soft”, others are saying that “there’s not enough respect for referees”. This comes after a Brazilian footballer was arrested and charged with attempted murder after kicking a referee in the head during a match on Monday in Venancio Aires, Brazil’s southern Rio Grande do Sul state.
William Ribeiro reportedly shoved referee Rodrigo Crivellaro to the ground, and kicked him after having a free-kick awarded against him, Independent reports.
After his attack, Ribeiro was arrested at the stadium and taken to a local police station. Meanwhile, Crivellaro left the stadium unconscious in an ambulance and was taken to a local hospital for examination and observation before being discharged.
Crivellaro told a local radio station that “I don’t really remember [what happened]. My refereeing colleagues told me that I gave him a yellow card. He punched me in the face, I fell to the ground, got kicked, and passed out.
“This player needs treatment because he is totally out of control. He deserves to be arrested for a long time.”
According to CNN, Rio Grande do Sul state released a statement saying it had opened an investigation into the incident. In the same vein, Sport Club Sao Paulo expressed being “deeply ashamed” of Ribeiro’s aggression, adding that the player’s contract had ended.
In an official note, the team wrote: “The aggressor athlete’s contract is summarily terminated. Furthermore, all possible and legal measures in relation to the fact will be taken.”
Watch it here but note that the video contains scenes some readers might find upsetting:
*Incident takes place from 30sec.
Brazilian footballer William Ribeiro has been charged with attempted murder after kicking referee Rodrigo Crivellaro in the head knocking him unconscious during a second division match. pic.twitter.com/vhJfGycexN
— ??⚽ (@ElijahKyama) October 6, 2021
Social media had mixed reactions since:
@Vinni_Wa – “In the game of football, discipline is the key. That guy should never be seen near a football pitch.”
@ElijahKyama – “There’s not enough respect for referees-or indeed respect as a concept-taught in all levels of football.”
@efcdylan_ – “games gone soft.”
@HemmingtonMerv – “If that was Paul Pogba, he’d have just got a yellow.”
@Jamesdrain17 – “Attempted murder? Surely not.”
@DecsHero – “3 game ban should be enough.”
@SmoothShotUK – “Horrendous. Should be sent down for life.”
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Picture: Screenshot from video