A referee has suffered a brutal on-field attack at the hands of a player he red-carded during a rugby league match in France.
In a French Cup semi-final match between Saint-Esteve and Toulouse, referee Benjamin Casty sent a player from the field only to be violently attacked by the man in question with a punch straight to the jaw.
The blow instantly knocked Casty unconscious, with the assailant, who had only recently returned from suspension, then turning on others who rushed to the referee's aid as an all-in brawl ensued.
The referee was immediately taken to hospital, avoiding any serious injury, while the match itself was abandoned.
President of the French Rugby League Federation spoke out on the incident, promising swift disciplinary action.
"I hope that the National Disciplinary Commission, which will meet on Wednesday, will be uncompromising," said Palanques.
The president of the Saint-Esteve club is set to resign, while a lifetime ban is in line for the player involved.
Newshub.
