Brazilian footballer breaks referee's facial bone with headbutt after red card

A Brazilian footballer allegedly broke a referee's facial bone by headbutting him after being shown a red card during an amateur football tournament.

The injured referee was rushed to hospital, where doctors said he may require facial surgery.

The incident took place during the Itapetininga Arenas Amateur Championship match between Athênas and Salve Quebrada.

Referee Juliano Assis de Souza was officiating the game when Athênas player Fabinho was shown a straight red card for aggressive behaviour.

Enraged by the decision, Fabinho reportedly charged at the referee and forcefully headbutted him in the face, leaving him seriously injured.
The player fled the scene before police arrived.

However, the Itapetininga City Council responded swiftly, imposing a lifetime ban on Fabinho from all municipality-organised tournaments. His club, Athênas, was also expelled from the ongoing championship and suspended from all domestic competitions organised by the municipality for two years.

Referee Juliano de Souza, who remains in hospital, said he intends to file criminal charges against the player over the attack.

Meanwhile, Athênas issued an official statement announcing Fabinho's permanent dismissal from the club. The tournament's disciplinary committee is also preparing to take further legal and disciplinary action against him.