A female referee was left concussed and forced to leave the pitch after being knocked to the ground while trying to break up a brawl during a friendly match between French club Metz and Dutch side Fortuna Sittard.
Mathilde Demoncay, 26, fell heavily as she attempted to intervene in a melee that erupted in the 40th minute following a shirt-tugging incident between two opposing players. As the confrontation escalated, other players rushed in, and Demoncay ended up on the ground after being caught in the chaos.
“Female referee injured and concussed during friendly between Metz and Fortuna Sittard.”
She remained on the pitch for several minutes, holding her arm, while assistant referees, security personnel and medical staff rushed on to restore order and assess her condition. Demoncay was able to resume as assistant referee after play restarted but left the field at half-time, with another assistant taking over her duties. She reportedly suffered concussion in the incident.