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An Argentine regional league has condemned a "deplorable and despicable" attack by a player on a referee in a match on Sunday that left him needing stitches. The contest in the city of Rafaela between hosts Atletico Quilmes and their rivals Sportivo Norte was halted late in the first half following the violent actions of Quilmes defender Leonardo Vera. A statement from the Liga Rafaelina said: "The Clasico between Quilmes and Sportivo Norte was suspended in the 41st minute of the first half after referee Silvio Ruiz was attacked by a player, Leonardo Vera [Quilmes]. The attack caused a cut behind one of the ears of the referee, who had to be taken to a local hospital to have stitches. Deplorable and despicable, this aggression will now be in the hands of the courts." The game was goalless and the visitors playing a man down at the time of the attack when Vera went into a rage after realizing he was going to be sent off for dissent. He punched referee Silvio Ruiz and teammates intervened but struggled to hold Vera back as the referee left the field while being escorted by police. Sportivo coach Juan Orellana denounced the attack and told Clarin newspaper: "It's worrying that these things happen. I played football and your pulse goes at 1,000 beats but one has to calm down, there was no reason for the way things ended."
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