Soccer referee Dalma Cortadi of Argentina made a call for justice on Monday after being struck in the back by a male player during a regional league game who disapproved of her on-field decision.
The 30-year-old Cortadi filed criminal complaints against her assailant, 34-year-old Cristian Tirone, who was detained after he struck the referee and was given a yellow card for a foul. Following the incident, which was documented on camera, Cortadi was transported to the hospital and kept under observation for a while.
Tirone can be seen striking Cortadi’s neck after appearing to aim for the back of her head in the video. When she hits the ground, she promptly stands up as Tirone is being dragged off the field by other players.
“I fell, and that’s all I can recall. When I stood up, felt queasy and lightheaded. I’ve never had anything like this happen to me “She spoke to the sports daily in Olé.
After the attack, the third-tier match between Independencia and Garmense in the Tres Arroyos regional league was postponed, and Cortadi was the referee.
Cortadi said to Olé, “This scenario hurts me at work since it prevents me from working. “I must now be courageous. I felt hurt by the strikes.”
She informed Olé that her gender had no bearing on the situation.
“We want this individual to be held accountable for his actions and to get justice. What matters is that “She spoke.
“AFA repudiates and condemns the conduct of the player Cristian Tirone (Dep. Garmense) against the referee Dalma Cortadi, who was the victim of physical abuse,” said the Argentine Football Association’s official statement following the assault.
Garmense put Tirone on life-inhibition.
The club released a statement in which it declared its “energetic denunciation of this conduct that is at odds with the ethos that is meant to be instilled with the practice of this sport.”