UPDATE: Man charged over alleged assault of soccer referee – Bankstown

A man has been charged over the alleged assault of a soccer referee in Sydney’s south west.

Just before 10.30pm on Friday (28 April 2023), a spectator allegedly confronted a referee at the conclusion of a soccer match at Padstow Park.

It’s alleged the man assaulted the referee by punching him multiple times in the face and kicking him to the head.

Other spectators intervened and assisted the referee while the man fled the scene.

Police were alerted and officers from Bankstown Police Area Command commenced an investigation.

The referee, a 45-year-old man, was taken to Liverpool Hospital suffering an injury to his jaw.

Following inquiries, a 25-year-old man was arrested at Bankstown Police Station about 2.40pm today (Sunday 30 April 2023).

He has since been charged with wound person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and affray.

The Villawood man has been refused bail to appear at Bankstown Local Court tomorrow (Monday 1 May 2023)

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.

/Public Release. View in full here.