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Soccer Referee Sucker-Punched By Soccer Player After Call In San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- A soccer referee has a broken jaw and a brain injury after getting sucker-punched during a game over the weekend in San Francisco, police said.

The incident happened at the fields on Capitol Avenue near the Minnie and Lovie Ward recreation center.

The ref had just given out a yellow card penalty, but the player disagreed and was shown a red card, and ejected.

He then came up from behind and punched out the referee.

"If you're a fanatic in the sport, that's one thing, but to assault a referee; to take your aggression because of a call he made, that's a problem. It's just a matter of time before we identify who he is, and hold him accountable," Officer Carlos Manfredi of the San Francisco Police said.

The player fled in a truck.

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