Mexican Referee Who Kneed Player In Groin Banned For 12 Games

A Mexican referee who attacked a player by kneeing him in the groin during a Liga MX game has been suspended for 12 matches.

Referee Fernando Hernandez, 39, hit out at Leon midfielder Lucas Romero after he and some of his teammates had surrounded him to argue against a decision during Sunday's 2-2 draw with Club America.

While holding a yellow card aloft in his right hand, Hernandez thrust his left knee into Leon, who fell to the floor.

A Liga MX disciplinary board said in a statement on Tuesday: "Fernando Hernandez Gomez, center referee of the match, is sanctioned by the Disciplinary Committee with a 12-game suspension for engaging in violent conduct against a player."

Before learning of his punishment on Tuesday, Hernandez had said: "To the fans and public in general, I offer an apology, as well as to Romero, for my reaction.

"I would never attack him or any other player. I am aware of this and I will abide by the decision of the Disciplinary Commission."

Romero was given a two-game ban for his conduct. The Leon player had earlier reacted to the incident in an interview with TUDN.

He said: "Obviously [referees] are human beings.

"Many times they can make mistakes and those mistakes end up developing what happened, a lot of misunderstandings."

Hernandez has previously officiated at senior international level. He was the man in charge when the USMNT beat Costa Rica 2-0 in February 2019.

Liga MX referee Fernando Hernandez has been banned for 12 matches

IMAGO/Agencia MexSport/Cristian de Marchena