ILS1
10-29-2005, 11:00 AM
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) -- A Hartford, Conn., police officer said his jaw was dislocated when he was sucker-punched by a parent after he refereed a high school soccer game.
Jeffrey Rousseau, who lives in Springfield, said Martin Smith attacked him as he and another referee were walking to their cars after officiating at Central High School.
"I saw nothing at all," Rousseau told The Republican of Springfield. "Everyone said he hit me from behind, in front of 40 people."
Rousseau, 28, said he planned to file assault charges against Smith, who lives in Springfield and is the father of two Central High players.
Rousseau and Smith both have unpublished telephone numbers and could not be reached for comment Friday by The Associated Press.
In August, Smith, 41, pleaded innocent to charges he tried to run down a woman with his car following an argument at a gas station, Police Sgt. John Delaney said. He is due back in court for a hearing on that charge next month.
Witnesses told police that Smith shouted threats at the referees during Wednesday's soccer match between Central and Westfield High School. They said he was upset because a yellow card warning was issued to one of his sons, although Delaney said the other referee made the call.
Delaney said Smith confronted Rousseau and the other referee near the parking lot, and he punched Rousseau in the jaw.
"You don't expect that to happen at a high school soccer game," Rousseau said.
Copyright 2005 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Link (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/soccer/10/28/ref.punched.ap/index.html?cnn=yes)
Jeffrey Rousseau, who lives in Springfield, said Martin Smith attacked him as he and another referee were walking to their cars after officiating at Central High School.
"I saw nothing at all," Rousseau told The Republican of Springfield. "Everyone said he hit me from behind, in front of 40 people."
Rousseau, 28, said he planned to file assault charges against Smith, who lives in Springfield and is the father of two Central High players.
Rousseau and Smith both have unpublished telephone numbers and could not be reached for comment Friday by The Associated Press.
In August, Smith, 41, pleaded innocent to charges he tried to run down a woman with his car following an argument at a gas station, Police Sgt. John Delaney said. He is due back in court for a hearing on that charge next month.
Witnesses told police that Smith shouted threats at the referees during Wednesday's soccer match between Central and Westfield High School. They said he was upset because a yellow card warning was issued to one of his sons, although Delaney said the other referee made the call.
Delaney said Smith confronted Rousseau and the other referee near the parking lot, and he punched Rousseau in the jaw.
"You don't expect that to happen at a high school soccer game," Rousseau said.
Copyright 2005 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Link (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/soccer/10/28/ref.punched.ap/index.html?cnn=yes)