Disgruntled soccer players nearly kill stun-gun-wielding referee at regional championship game

The Pskov regional soccer championship ended in a brawl yesterday that included a high-kick to a referee that sent him to the hospital.

The ruckus began after the referee made a controversial call that left the game tied at 2:2. When players surrounded the man, he began fighting them off with a stun-gun. With his back turned, however, someone delivered a blow that knocked the elderly man to the ground, unconscious. A woman filming the spectacle can be heard off-camera saying “My God,” before screaming in terror.

The referee escaped the attack without any serious injuries and has already regained consciousness, though he’s still in the hospital.

“There were no police stationed at the game, though this is against league regulations. In the next two days, we’ll render a decision regarding both teams. Most likely, they’ll both be disqualified and transferred to a lower division,” said Alexey Sevastyanov, head of the local soccer federation.