They attack a 19-year-old referee and his father after a youth soccer match in Zaragoza

Spanish football once again experienced a regrettable episode this Saturday. During the final minutes between Pina and La Unión, of the third day of Primera Juvenil in Zaragoza, the referee of the match, Yago García, 19 years old, and his father were attacked after signaling a penalty that meant the victory of the visiting team.

Everything was going normally in Pina de Ebro until in the final minutes of the match the referee awarded a penalty in favor of La Unión, a decision that ended up making the score 3-4. Several parents and local fans went after the referee when he was heading to the locker room and he was attacked, as was his father, who came to his defense.

Yago García had to be taken to the hospital by ambulance with bruises and mental confusion resulting from a panic attack, while his father was treated at the Pina de Ebro medical center.

The Spanish Association of Football Referees (AESAF) has "roundly" condemned what happened and has sent a message to "convey all its support and closeness to Yago García Aparicio and his family, and wishes his speedy recovery."

The AESAF has stated that it is "essential" that these types of events receive "a firm, coordinated and exemplary response from all the organizations with powers in the competition" and has stressed that the protection of referees constitutes "a basic condition for the normal development of football in all its categories."

Furthermore, it has recommended that any attack "be reported to the State Security Forces and Bodies", providing the medical report and the available evidence, regardless of the actions that may be carried out through sports disciplinary means. It has also requested that arbitrators be recognized "as a public authority in the exercise of their functions" to reinforce their legal protection against attacks and threats.