Indonesian footballer Pieter Rumaropen, who punched a referee in the face, has been banned for life by the country’s football authority.
The striker for Papua province club Persiwa Wamena, punched referee Muhaimin after he awarded a penalty to Pelita Bandung Raya during a Super League match on Sunday in West Java’s capital Bandung.
Muhaimin was taken to hospital where he received four stitches.
The match was held up for 15 minutes before a replacement official took over and gave Rumaropen a red card.
Hinca Panjaitan, a member of the disciplinary commission of Indonesia’s Football Association, PSSI, said Rumaropen’s behavior damaged the image of the country’s football.
In 2008, PSSI imposed life bans on four players for beating up a referee and his assistants.
Rumaropen’s Persiwa Wamena were tied 1-1 with Pelita Bandung Raya on Sunday when referee Muhaimin awarded a penalty to Pelita with eight minutes left on the clock.
Video replays of the incident showed Rumaropen running up behind Muhaimin and landing a swinging left hook on the referee, who had to be admitted to a hospital due to excessive bleeding from his nose.
Persiwa, currently seventh in the 18-team league, lost 2-1 after their opponents converted the penalty.
Persiwa defender Richardo Roberto was also sent off in the first half of the match.
