By Victor Kanayo
Report from Mexico has revealed that a referee Fernando Hernandez has been handed a 12-match ban after kneeing a player in the groin.
The incident reportedly happened during America’s match against Leon, the country’s football federation said on Tuesday.
Reuters reports that during a confrontation that ensued, Hernandez kneed Leon midfielder Lucas Romero, who also was given a two-match suspension after he angrily demanded a VAR review following an equaliser from America.
Romero said after the match that he was not calling for Hernandez to be punished as it had all been a misunderstanding and that he only asked for respect on the pitch.
However, there were a number of brawls in what was a heated 2-2 draw between America and Leon, fourth and third in the Mexican league standings respectively.
Coaches Fernando Ortiz and Nicolas Larcamon were also handed two-match bans after both were given red cards during the game.
During the match, both coaches were involved in a confrontation and an image of Leon coach Larcamon, with his shirt torn after fighting with the America bench, went viral on social media.
