French Rugby League player knocks out referee with punch

French Rugby League player knocks out referee with punch



A French rugby league player is facing a ban for life after knocking a referee out cold before attacking opposition players in an incident that has shocked the sport.



The man - who French media have refused to identify - was playing for Saint-Esteve in a French Cup match against Toulouse at junior level when the incident, which was caught on camera, took place.



Referee Benjamin Casty, brother of Catalan Dragons star Remi Casty, was attacked after sending the player to the sin-bin for making an obscene gesture to the crowd.



Footage shows the referee fall to the floor then lie motionless after a single punch from the player, believed to be aged 21.



When the opposition ran to confront the rampaging lout, he responded by throwing a flurry of punches at another player before he was finally hauled down and subdued. The game was abandoned.



St-Esteve president Christian Cozza later revealed that the player had already been suspended earlier this season and claimed he did not want him to play in the match.



Cozza also announced his resignation in response to the incident.



He said: 'This player had already been suspended four games earlier in the season and I did not want him to play.'



Casty was taken to a nearby hospital where he was treated for injuries to his cheekbone and miraculously avoided a broken jaw.



The president of the French Federation, Marc Palanques, has already called on the player to face an 'uncompromising' punishment with many calling for a ban for life.



He said: 'I hope that the National Disciplinary Commission, who will meet on Wednesday, will be uncompromising.'