Saint-Esteve junior player knocked out referee Benjamin Casty in French Cup tie

Hedi Ouedjdi was sent off in a cup semi-final against Toulouse last month

French Federation spokesman said he undermined physical integrity of a referee

Casty was taken to hospital after sustaining injuries to his cheekbone and jaw

St Esteve player Hedi Ouedjdi has been banned from rugby league for life

A French rugby league player who knocked a referee unconscious with one horrific punch has been banned for life.

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Hedi Ouedji was playing for Saint Esteve in a French Cup match against Toulouse when he swung at Benjamin Casty, leaving the official lying motionless on the pitch.

Sickening footage showed the referee, brother of Catalan Dragons star Remi Casty, falling to the ground after a single punch from the player, believed to be aged 21.

This morning, the French Federation handed out a lifetime suspension for the attack in April.

'The player not only undermined the physical integrity of a referee, Benjamin Casty, but also tainted the image of a sport that had not experienced such a reprehensible act,' said a spokesman.

'FFR XIII is determined not to grant any forgiveness to players, leaders or supporters who do not respect the decisions of a referee, whose difficult role is measured every weekend.'

A video of the incident was widely shared when it appeared on YouTube and Ouedjdi could face more trouble, with Casty bringing a civil complaint.

It shows the opposition running to confront the rampaging player, only for him to respond by throwing a flurry of punches at another player.

Referee Benjamin Casty sends Saint-Esteve player Hedi Ouedjdi to the sin bin

The centre responds by throwing a violent right hook at the referee, landing on his jaw

The player walks away nonchalantly, leaving Casty motionless on the playing field

He was eventually finally hauled down and subdued before the game was abandoned.

St-Esteve president Christian Cozza later revealed that the player had already been suspended earlier this season and claimed he did not want him to play in the match.

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Cozza also announced his resignation in response to the incident.

He said: 'This player had already been suspended four games earlier in the season and I did not want him to play.'

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Casty was taken to a nearby hospital where he was treated for injuries to his cheekbone and miraculously avoided a broken jaw.

Players from the opposing team confront the culprit, who responds with a flurry of punches

A brawl ensues before the player is finally tackled to the ground before the game is abandoned