An Ohio high school soccer referee suffered broken ribs and a collapsed lung after a Steubenville player knocked him to the ground during a playoff game Tuesday against New Philadelphia, according to reports.
\n\nTMZ Sports reported that the official was hospitalized after the hit. An Ohio High School Athletic Association spokesperson told the outlet Wednesday that the referee was “doing better.”
\n\nThe incident occurred October 27 during a district semifinal in Steubenville. Video circulated online shows a player running toward the referee and striking him after another player received a card.
\n\nThe confrontation followed several late-match collisions. With about five minutes and 40 seconds remaining, a Steubenville corner kick led to contact that sent one of its players to the ground, according to the Times-Reporter.
\n\nAnother Steubenville player then collided with New Philadelphia’s goalkeeper, resulting in a foul. As the referee moved toward midfield, a player charged toward him and knocked him down, the newspaper reported.
\n\nLocal radio station WJER reported that the player approached from about 12 yards away before driving his shoulder into the official’s midsection. The referee fell to the turf and appeared to be in pain.
\n\nAnother player restrained the teammate responsible for the hit as…
Original source: https://www.breitbart.com/sports/
