Ethiopian Premier League suspended after referee attacked
A referee was attacked by players after making a controversial decision during a match in Ethiopia’s top-flight.
Ethiopian football officials have suspended all domestic games after a referee was attacked by players in a match between military team Defense and Welwalo Adigrat University, the BBC reports.
Ethiopian Premier League has been suspended after a referee was attacked for giving controversial goal
— DailySports Media (@Dailysports2016) May 2, 2018
Welwalo Adigrat players chased the official, & their coach punched him to the ground.
The coach has been fired,& the @footballethiop has suspended all games in the League pic.twitter.com/He1Tvz3Z4B
Disgraceful actions
The game was level at 1-1 when Welwalo’s goalkeeper fumbled the ball towards the goal line, with the referee awarding a goal for Defense. The Adigrat side were enraged by the decision and began to behave disgracefully, chasing the official off the pitch. The referee then attempted to defend himself with the corner flag before falling to the ground.
While on the ground, one of Welwalo’s coaches punched the referee. Thankfully, the official safely escaped from the scene.
A video posted online by the state broadcaster ETV shows the whole disgraceful scene.
The coach in question has already been fired.
Related stories
The Ethiopian Federation will meet with the league’s 16 teams on Thursday to discuss the recent violence in the country’s football.
Welwalo Adigrat University FC released a statement following yesterday's football match between Mekelakeya FC and Welwalo AU FC. The club fired its team leader Ato Maru. #Ethiopia
— Haphtom Berhe (@Haphtom) May 1, 2018
Details https://t.co/HrNdAj5vah pic.twitter.com/Ruavt7JcJa
(https://twitter.com/HahuDaily/status/991220987948650496)