A young Fijian rugby player could be banned for life after an on-pitch assault which left a referee with a suspected broken nose.
The 19-year-old has since been charged at a magistrates’ court over the incident which saw Peni Talemaivavalagi punched.
The episode unfolded during a Skipper Cup U19 match between the offending player's team, Naitasiri, and Tailevu, with a video of the incident emerging on social media.
The player was seemingly unimpressed with a decision from Talemaivavalagi and blindsided him. The official fell to the ground before a Naitasiri player ushered his teammate away.
Police escorted him to Nausori Police Station for questioning and is reported to have since appeared in court, where he was charged with one count of actual bodily harm. He was bailed with the case adjourned until September 18.
Potentially, the 19-year-old forward may have played his last game of rugby, with a leading figure in Fijian rugby making clear he could be banned for life.
Former Fiji international Nemani Nadolo waded in with his take on on the incident, writing on social media: “I hope that young ref who got king hit in a local game back home is ok.
"Match official can frustrate us in the heat of the moment. It’s our duty as players to make sure their safety during the game is paramount.
"Violence doesn’t solve anything.”
Operations manager for the FRU Sale Sorovaki is quoted by RugbyPass as saying: "There is no room for striking a referee in a rugby match."
The match was called off immediately after the incident with the result later awarded to Tailevu.
