Police are investigating a horrific attack on a Sydney referee that was captured on camera.
NSW Police have confirmed they are continuing to investigate the incident, described as an alleged assault of a referee which happened at a Men’s Premier League football match between the Greenacre Eagles and Padstow Hornets on Friday night.
The Daily Telegraph first reported the match official suffered a broken jaw and had four teeth knocked out as a result of the attack. He is being treated after being taken to Liverpool Hospital in south west Sydney.
The newspaper reports the alleged attacker was a suspended player who attended the match as a spectator.
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Vision of the attack has horrified football fans and has quickly spread across social media. One version of the video has more than 76,000 views on Twitter.
The video, which lasts for more than two minutes, shows a referee being punched to the ground before he is punched several more times while lying helpless on the turf.
The man seen punching the referee in the video was eventually pulled away from the injured whistleblower.
The video shows the referee saying: “I broke my jaw, I broke my jaw”.
NSW Police said in a statement: “Officers from Bankstown Police Area Command are investigating after the alleged assault of a referee in Sydney’s south west yesterday.
“Just before 10.30pm (Friday 28 April 2023), two groups were playing a soccer match at Davies Road Padstow when a referee was allegedly punched in the face after a verbal altercation with a spectator.
“The injured man was taken to Liverpool Hospital suffering an injury to his jaw.
“As police continue to investigate the incident any witnesses who have not yet spoken to police are urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”
News.com.au has contacted NSW Ambulance for further information. Football Australia is yet to comment publicly on the incident.