Referee hospitalised following serious assault during midlands game

Gardaí said that the man had suffered injuries in the incident.

Gardaí from Tullamore are investigating a serious assault on a soccer referee on Sunday which resulted in him being hospitalised.

The match official was admitted to hospital and the Gardaí have said that he suffered injuries. He was taken to Midlands Regional Hospital where his condition has been described as not life threatening. It's understood that a dispute arose towards the end of the match between Horseleap FC and Mullingar Town FC, and several players and a spectator were involved in the incident. It was here that the referee suffered the injuries. Gardaí from Tullamore confirmed that they were called to the scene of a public order incident at a Football Club in Horseleap. In a statement they said: "It’s understood a match referee (male 50s) was physically injured when a disturbance broke out during a football match." No arrests have been made to date and enquiries are ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Tullamore Garda Station 057-9327600. The incident has been condemned by representative groups for referees and players, with the Irish Soccer Referees Society saying in a statement: "We wish our friend and colleague from the Midland Branch a speedy recovery following a vicious assault that was perpetrated on him today at a game. "He has our full support at this difficult time. Our Society President, Paul O'Brien has been in touch with the referee tonight as he awaits surgery for his injuries."