Football Player Arrested in Santa Fe for Punching Referee After Red Card

Violence erupted on a Santa Fe football pitch Sunday when a player, Jorge Godoy, was arrested for punching a referee after receiving a red card. The incident occurred during a match between Santa Catalina and Barrio Quinta in the Liga Regional Sanlorencina.

At the 35-minute mark of the first half, referee Hugo Walter Masuelli expelled Godoy, a 35-year-old player for Barrio Quinta, who was wearing jersey number 2. In response, Godoy struck the 53-year-old referee in the right cheek with his fist.

Police officers present for security immediately intervened, arresting Godoy and taking him to the nearest police station. The referee received medical attention at the scene before being transported to a local health center. The match was suspended following the assault.

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The club also expressed solidarity with the referee Hugo Walter Masuelli, who was injured after receiving the blow.

Barrio Quinta, Godoy's club, issued a statement condemning the player's actions as "absolutely inadmissible." The club expressed solidarity with the injured referee and reaffirmed its commitment to respect, fair play, and healthy competition.

This event follows a similar incident approximately six weeks prior, where a Santa Fe police officer died after sustaining severe head injuries during post-match disturbances at a football final in the Liga Cañadense de Fútbol. Two suspects were arrested in connection with that fatal assault.

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We reaffirm our commitment to respect, coexistence, fair play, and healthy competition.