A referee has told talkSPORT he doesn’t want to officiate again after being PUNCHED three times by a player during a grassroots match.
The game, which was between NW London FC and Sporting Club de Mundial on August 9, was overshadowed by the disgraceful incident which saw referee Satyam Toki assaulted by a Sporting Club de Mundial player.
The referee revealed how he had warned the player earlier to stop swearing, however, the incident unfolded after giving a free-kick to NW London.
The player reacted to this decision and was cautioned for dissent before being asked to leave the pitch for ten minutes. He refused to grant the referee’s wish but was persuaded by a teammate to get off the pitch.
However, Mr Toki revealed the player then ‘gave a cunning smile’ and threatened to see the referee after the match. The referee subsequently showed him the red card and ‘within half a second’ was punched three times.
Mr Toki was left shocked by the incident and admitted the player has since reached out to him and apologised.
He told talkSPORT: “I didn’t know how to react, my actions were basically zero. I wasn’t expecting this thing and it’s left me in a state of shock.
“Yes, he contacted me on three or four occasions and he has really apologised to me about what happened and he feels very sorry about it.
“He has offered me quite a lot of support and explained what he has done to his team. So I have basically accepted his apologies and everything.”
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Mr Toki is still intending to press charges, however, he also revealed he’s yet to give a statement to the Metropolitan Police despite contacting them on THREE separate occasions, the most recent on August 21.
He said he’s scared to go out and referee again but hopes shedding light on something like this will prevent any referee across the world from going through the same kind of ordeal again.
He added: “It is on my mind every single day… I do want to go out but that incident stops me at the moment from going out and refereeing again.
“I want to protect myself and fellow referees so everyone knows the consequences of attacking an official.
“We are there to run grassroots football. Without referees, no one would be playing football.
“Hopefully this doesn’t happen to any other match official anywhere in the world.”
Jim White revealed that the Met have since been in contact with talkSPORT, saying that an investigation is ongoing but no arrest has been made.
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