Soccer Referee Ricardo Portillo In Coma After Player’s Punch

A Utah soccer referee is in a coma after being punched by a teenage player who was upset with one of the calls he made during a game this past weekend.

Ricardo Portillo, 46, has swelling in his brain and doctors are unsure whether he will be able to recover. He is being treated at the Intermountain Medical Center in the Salt Lake City suburb of Murray.

According to reports, Portillo was punched in the head by a 17-year-old player after the veteran referee issued him a yellow card. The teen has been booked on suspicion of aggravated assault, but could be hit with more serious charges if Portillo dies.

This isn’t the first time Portillo has been injured while on the job. Angry players have previously broken his ribs and one of his legs after becoming enraged by calls.

Family of the Referee are expecting a miracle and also banking on the Justice system to deal with the situation appropriately.