http://www.espnfc.us/portuguese-lig...s-banned-for-four-years-after-referee-assault A striker of infamous Portuguese side Canelas has been banned for four years after kneeing a referee in the face. Footage emerged last month of Marco Goncalves physically assaulting an official in their match against Rio Tinto before being escorted off the field by police. Canelas are top of the Portuguese fourth tier this season, although the majority of their victories have been by default as opposition sides are afraid to face the club and have chosen to incur a €750 fine rather than to take the field. <rest at link> After watching the video, I don't believe 4 years is enough (unless you mean in prison). Should be banned for life AND charged with assault. This isn't some idiot running a little too fast to confront an official and giving him a little bump.
Different countries have different laws. This is not my area of expertise, but in the US it's dependent on what state you reside in. I assume this would be prosecuted if the referee filed an assault charge. I have no idea how it works in Portugal.
Argh. Once the assailant has his hand begins the ref's head, only one thing is going to happe- further assault. If he tries to escape by backing up he has to bend forward further: his only hope is to break the hold or close the space so any blows have less momentum. Why one would EVER give a sendoff from less than a few yards away is utterly beyond me. A knee to the face can easily break bones, depressed fracture can kill. Please let's all be aware and careful.
Several years ago, a referee in my association gave a red card close enough to the recipient that he got head butted and a broken nose. I learned from that not to get too close. Especially with adults.
I hope this ^^^^^ is hyperbole. I think he should get a lifetime ban from the sport. But prison time? For a unplanned one-time hit without a resulting serious injury? Nope. I am in no means condoning the behavior or denying that it should be prosecuted criminally. But prison time, much less for years, is beyond realistic. That simply isn't going to happen.
Of course it is hyperbole. I do think he should be prosecuted for assault, and whatever the sentence is for that type of attack, I believe he should face it. I don't care if it was planned or not. If you are walking down the street, have words with someone, and then grab him by the shoulders, pull him down, and knee him in the head, yes you are culpable. No difference on a soccer pitch. Lastly, the 'resulting injury' has no bearing on this issue. I don't care about the injury. It is the attack that is punished. Just because he was lucky enough not to badly hurt the ref doesn't play here. And yes, years in jail is fine with me.
I agree with your sentiment here, but as for criminal prosecution, planned vs. reaction and the resulting injury are hugely important to both the nature of the charge and the resulting punishment.