Footballer Slaps Female Referee After Receiving A Red Card

ByMF Jones

Being a football referee in South America is one of the most dangerous jobs on the world. Who could forget the Brazilian referee who was decapitated by a group of fans a few years back?

Similarly in Colombia, you’ll be lucky to get through a game without being brutally assaulted for making a decision someone disagrees with. Which brings us to the game between Deportivo Quique and Real Alianza at the Chelo Castro Stadium in Aracataca this week, where referee Vanessa Ceballos approached the substitutes’ bench to give a red card to Real Alianza’s Javier Bolivar for unsportsmanlike conduct…

Well, it looks like he held back at the moment of impact, but he still made contact which is of course completely unacceptable, female referee or otherwise. The best part is that everyone had to hold Vanessa Ceballos back so that she didn’t kick the sh1t out him right there and then. Michael Oliver could never!

Bolivar has denied intentionally slapping Ceballos and claims he was trying to pull the whistle out of her mouth. Yeah, right.

In a lengthy apology on Instagram, he said: ‘I recognise that my behaviour was disrespectful and inappropriate, unbecoming of an athlete and a human being.’

‘By foolishly trying to take the whistle out of the referee’s mouth, I acted incorrectly, sending a negative message that should never have happened.

‘I want to make it absolutely clear that at no time was there any physical aggression toward the referee.

‘However, I understand that my gesture was offensive and portrayed her as contrary to the values ​​of football and respect.

‘Therefore, I humbly apologise to her, her family, the women, and everyone who was affected by what happened.

‘I firmly reject any form of violence, especially against women. Women deserve all our respect, care, and admiration.

‘My commitment is to work on my personal and athletic growth so as to never again repeat an act that violates anyone’s dignity.’

Even still, Real Alianza have confirmed that Bolivar has been kicked out of their team.

In a statement, the club said: ‘Real Alianza categorically condemns the regrettable events that occurred today, in which a player from our club assaulted a refereeing team. This totally unacceptable act does not reflect the values ​​that define us as an institution,’ said a statement from the Colombian side.

‘The club has made the final decision to retire the player, reaffirming our commitment to respect, discipline, and fair play.

‘Violence, in any form, has no place in sport or in society. Just as we condemn the aggression suffered by referees, we also raise our voices against violence against women and any manifestation that violates human dignity.

‘Football must be a space of peace, respect, brotherhood, and an example for all.’

Wow, I guess they are actually trying to stamp this sort of thing out over there. Just as well he didn’t try and put his arm around her like Sergio Aguero did to female EPL ref Sian Massey-Ellis all those years back…

Deadspin | Sergio Aguero putting arm around female ref is ...

Of course, female refs have dealt with much worse over the years in south America, for example:

Awful stuff. Fair play to Real Alianza sending a message on this occasion that this sort of thing won’t be tolerated or brushed under the carpet anymore.

To watch the most blatant match-fixing penalty of all time occur in the Nigerian FA Cup final, click HERE.

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