16-year-old referee assaulted during a soccer match in Geldrop; 19-year-old arrested
A 16-year-old referee was assaulted Friday night during his first official indoor soccer match in Geldrop, prompting a police response with four vehicles and the arrest of a 19-year-old suspect from Eindhoven, Omroep Brabant reports.
The teen, one of the youngest referees in the region, was officiating a game between FC Eindhoven 5 and SV Tongelre 9 at sports hall De Kievit, according to his father, who is also a longtime referee. “He is one of the youngest referees in the region. This is so sad for him,” the father told Omroep Brabant Saturday morning.
He explained that the first half went smoothly, with “two teams that wanted to play soccer.” Tensions rose in the second half when players clashed. “There was some pushing and shoving, heads against each other. My son gave two yellow cards,” the father said. Some players reportedly protested, claiming that “other referees wouldn’t have given a card for that.”
Several players then turned against the teenager. The intimidation led the referee to briefly retreat to the locker room. When he returned a few minutes later, the situation escalated again. “One player said something to him, and my son gave him another yellow card,” his father said. “Then my son was grabbed by the throat, pushed to the ground, and someone even tried to kick him in the head.”
Police quickly arrived at the scene with four patrol cars and arrested a 19-year-old man from Eindhoven based on witness statements. He remains in custody for questioning.
The teen’s father said it is unclear whether his son still wants to pursue a referee career after the attack. “He wanted to explore a future as a referee,” he told the newspaper. “Now I don’t know if he still will.”
