A Gold Coast man will face court next month after being accused of knocking out a referee at a local-level grand final over the weekend.
The man allegedly stormed onto the field after full-time of the Gold Coast league final between Tugun Seahawks and Currumbin Eagles at CBUS Super Stadium and punched the referee in the face.
Vision of the incident circulated on social media on Saturday evening, showing the man in question being pinned to the ground by police while bystanders attended to the victim.
GF footy 😬
— Dominique Loudon (@dloudon9) October 16, 2021
Ref just got king hit. pic.twitter.com/DcymaktHeB
The referee issued a common assault complaint against the man, who has also been charged by police with entering the playing field of a stadium.
He has been issued a notice for attendance at Southport Magistrates Court in November.
“That is an extremely concerning matter for us. Having anyone interfere with a sporting official is considered extremely serious,” Acting Chief Superintendent Rhys Wildman.
“Obviously the stadium and the NRL may take action in relation to that person’s attendance at future venues, that’s for them.
“I understand people like supporting their particular sports, and be encouraged to do so.
“However, this is not something to take that sort of level of action to actually jump the fence and assault an official.”