Soccer referee dies after being punched by player

Police say a recreational league soccer referee who was in a coma after being punched by a teenage player has died.

They say 46-year-old Ricardo Portillo died late Saturday night.

Unified police spokesman Justin Hoyal says Portillo passed away at the hospital, where he was being treated following an assault during a soccer game last weekend.

Police say a 17-year-old player punched Portillo after the man called a foul on him and issued him a yellow card.

The teen has been booked into juvenile detention on suspicion of aggravated assault.

Hoyal says authorities will consider additional charges since Portillo has died.
 

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.