Referee rushed to hospital in Ambulance following attack from player he sent off

Official beaten up in shocking attack from footballer as he was shown the red card

A REFEREE was taken to hospital in an ambulance after he was attacked by a footballer he was sending off.

Officials Silvio Ruiz was the subject of shocking assault which left onlookers stunned.

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The video shows player Leonardo Vera punching referee Silvio Ruiz

The brutal attack was caught on camera and shows defender Leonardo Vera, who plays for Argentine side Atletico Quilmes in the city of Rafaela, contesting referee Ruiz’s decision to send him off.

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Referee Silvio Ruiz reels away as player Leonardo Vera attacks him for showing him the red card in the match in Argentina

Quilmes were in the middle of a tense 0-0 match with rivals Sportivo Norte in a lower-league regional fixture when Vera reportedly swore at the referee.
Match official Ruiz can then be seen turning around to confront the player, promptly reaching inside his pocket for a card.
Realising he is about to be sent off, Vera snapped and unleashed a brutal attack on the referee, punching the official several times before he was held back by his teammates.

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Leonardo Vera is dragged away by his teammates after setting on referee Silvio Ruiz

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Referee Silvio Ruiz is protected by others as he leaves the pitch following the attack

Ref carted off to hospital in ambulance after red card attack

Vera does not appear to calm down throughout the footage and repeatedly struggles with three of his colleagues who are trying to hold him back.
Meanwhile the referee suspends the match and calmly walks off the pitch to get treatment.
Source:thesun