Warning: Issuing RCs can be hazardous to your health.
At the professional level, referees certainly take a lot of abuse. They are either being surrounded by “typical Germans” or being called unpleasant names, and sometimes players inadvertently hit them with the ball. However, at the rec league level they occasionally have to deal with actual physical threats and violence from the players.
Gaston Manrique learned this the hard way on Easter Sunday when he launched a full-out war by issuing a RC to rec league player Charles Haynes. Apparently this disciplinary action was hotly-disputed, and as Haynes’ teammates protested the RC their opponents protested those protests. With both sides acting aggressively, Manrique decided to cancel the match with 20 minutes left.
As the referee recorded the final score, Haynes tackled him to the ground resulting in a back injury to Manrique. While the official was taken to the hospital by ambulance to assess possible spinal damage, the assailant casually went home as if nothing had happened (although he did realize that he should leave the pitch before law enforcement arrived). Haynes was eventually arrested at his home in Canyon Lake, CA and turned over to the Temecula police who charged him with felony battery and battery of a sports official.
The rec league rapscallion was immediately bailed out and must return to court next month to answer the charges. Considering the large number of witnesses, it is unlikely that Haynes will escape criminal conviction and his time in the league is most assuredly over.
However, there remains a very disturbing question that has been left unanswered here. Who schedules a match on Easter Sunday? At dinner time?
No one should be playing football on Zombie Jesus Day
Temecula police who charged him with felony battery and battery of a sports official.
Battery of a sports official is a uniquely identified crime (i.e., different than standard battery)?
Temecula is a rough town. They need as many laws as they can get.
Ned’s name has been changed to protect the guilty.
Manrique?
if Gaston Manrique is as French as his name sounds, he probably deserved it.
please, Manrique is obviously a Spanish surname.
Temecula is a f**king hell hole
Pretty sure I’ve reffed that league before…they’re pretty close to where I live.
Oh and yes I’ve always been told that battery of a Sports Official while on duty is like battery of a Mailman it’s a Felony. Of course this is just what I’ve been told.