Mexican football referee handed 12-match ban for kneeing player in groin

By Can Erozden

ANKARA (AA) - A Mexican football referee was given a 12-game suspension Tuesday for kneeing a player in the groin during a regular season match between Club America and Leon.

In a statement, the Mexican Football Federation said it suspended 39-year-old Fernando Hernandez Gomez for violent conduct against Leon's Lucas Romero during the Sunday match.

Gomez kneed Romero while the player was angrily arguing with him and demanding a video assistant referee (VAR) review following an equalizer from Club America

The heated Mexican league match ended 2-2.

Club America head coach Fernando Ortiz and Leon head coach Nicolas Larcamon and Leon midfielder Romero were suspended for two matches each.

Romero was sanctioned by the Mexican football body for his reaction against the referee.

Ortiz and Larcamon were dismissed for engaging in violent behavior against each other on the touchline.

Leon and Club America are placed third and fourth in Mexico's Liga MX standings.