A football referee was hospitalised on Saturday in Gozo after he was attacked by a Qala Saints player.

Referee Joseph AgiusReferee Joseph Agius

The GFA Division Two match was abandoned after Qala Saints player Emmanuel Cordina punched referee Joseph Agius.

The incident happened 63 minutes into the match between Oratory Youths and Qala Saints.

Referee Agius had just shown a second yellow card to Qala player Cordina who reacted by punching the match official.

Here, Agius decided to abandon the match with Oratory Youths leading 4-0. The victim is a member of the police corps.

In a statement, the Malta Football Referees Association vehemently condemned the incident and said they will be opening an investigation into the case.

“The Malta Football Referees Association condemns without reserves the actions of player Emmanuel Cordina, of Qala Saints, towards referee Joseph Agius. The referee is currently in hospital where he is receiving treatment."

The MFRA said it will discuss the matter internally and does not exclude taking further actions related to this case.

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