The incident, caught on camera, took place during a match between Barry Athletic FC and FC Pumas
A referee is believed to have been seriously injured after being rugby tackled by a bystander during a football match.
The incident took place during a match between Barry Athletic FC and FC Pumas at the home ground of Barry Athletic, in Paget Road, on Saturday.
The fixture was part of the Barry and District Football league and the incident happened around 20 minutes into the game, when the score was 1-1.
A video of the "bizarre" incident was caught on camera and was posted on social networking site Facebook.
'Intimidating experience'
A spokesman from Barry Athletic FC said they had no idea who the bystanders, who are claimed to have carried out the tackle, were.
The spokesman said: “We were playing the game and these two guys entered the ground through some gate not used by anyone in the club.
“People were thinking, why the hell is someone coming through the gates.
“They came over and stood on the side of the pitch and one of them just had the ref from behind and the ref’s legs went right up behind him. I thought he had snapped his knees.
“The ref squealed understandably and the guy just ran off to the side of the pitch.
“He was wearing shorts and a puffer jacket, and he kept his hand in his pocket.”
The club spokesman added: “It was quite an intimidating experience as there were kids and families around.”
Match abandoned
He said the two men, not believed to be attached to either club, left in a car that was waiting for them outside the gates.
The referee was unable to continue with the match and the game was subsequently abandoned.
Since the incident occurred on Saturday, the video has been viewed more than 17,000 times.
The spokesman from Barry Athletic FC added: “It was a bizarre experience and we didn’t know it was being filmed.
“It was really concerning at the time because we thought he was under the influence but it seems like that was not the case and they were doing it for a laugh.”
'I thought the worst'
Andrew Parfitt, chairman and manager of Barry based FC Pumas, also witnessed the incident.
He said: “I’m not happy about this at all, it’s terrible.
“Two guys walked over and asked me what league we were and asked about the teams.
“One of them said they were going to run on to the pitch and spear tackle someone but I laughed it off.
“But when I turned around I saw him run onto the pitch and spear tackle the ref.
“To be honest, I thought the worst but luckily he got up.”
Andrew said he was concerned the incident would dissuade referees from taking part in games.
He said: “Regardless of whether you are a referee, you shouldn’t have to put up with that. It’s absolutely disgusting.
“I am really shocked and angry. I have seen incidents in the past where referees were attacked but I have never seen a random act like this.”
South Wales Police were unavailable for comment.
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/football-referee-believed-seriously-injured-12032932
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