A French Rugby League player is reportedly facing a lifetime ban for punching a referee in the face during a game in Perpignan last weekend.
Footage from a French Cup semi-final between Saint-Esteve and Toulouse shows a player from the Saint-Esteve side striking the referee and forcing the game to be abandoned after just 25 minutes.
Referee Benjamin Casty was rushed to hospital after the incident and is believed to have suffered a broken jaw.
A clip of the incident also shows the player lashing out at other players when they tried to confront him after punching the referee.
St-Esteve president Christian Cozza later confirmed that the player had just returned from a suspension prior to the game.
The most disgraceful thing I have ever seen on a rugby field. You won't be needing boots again for life that is mate. Life ban Booom! pic.twitter.com/xNQ0SEplwc
— Allan Donald (@AllanDonald33) April 28, 2017
