Referee Says Portuguese Player Punched Him

A referee’s report regarding the ejection of Portugal’s Joao Pinto against South Korea on Friday was submitted, but FIFA officials would not say if it included charges he punched the referee.

Argentine referee Angel Sanchez on Saturday told a radio station at Del Plata, Argentina, that Pinto punched him after the player was shown a red card in the 27th minute for a tackle from behind.

South Korea won, 1-0, at Incheon, South Korea. Portugal was eliminated.

“It was the first time that a player has attacked me,” Sanchez said.

FIFA spokesman Keith Cooper said he was surprised by the referee’s comments before the disciplinary committee investigated the situation.