Referee assaulted in sixth tier

By Football Italia staff

A referee in the Promozione division had to be saved by a former Lazio ultra, having been assaulted by two fans.

The match between Virtus Olympia and Atletico Torrenova in the sixth tier ended with two red cards for the hosts and a goal in stoppage time.

The referee was 24-year-old Riccardo Bernardini, and two Olympia fans were incensed by his decisions.

The two, aged 25 and 35, broke through the barrier separating the fans from the dressing room and Bernardini was struck.

He was then thrown to the ground, whereupon he split his head open on the concrete.

The referee lost consciousness, and Torrenova masseur Yuri Alviti, a former head of the Lazio ultras, had to stop him from swallowing his tongue.

Bernardini was then taken to hospital where he required only three stitches and a night of observation.

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