A footballer in Ecuador has been dismissed by his club after throwing a rock at an assistant referee, leaving the official with a fractured cheekbone. Footage of the incident, which occurred during a match on Saturday, October 17, has since surfaced online.
Jhon Perlaza was playing for Club Deportivo Ciudad de Yantzaza against Río Aguarico FC when the altercation took place. As players protested against the referee on the pitch, Perlaza picked up a stone while hiding behind an oil drum near the substitute's bench and threw it at assistant referee Lenin Ojeda.
His first attempt missed, but he launched a second stone moments later, striking Ojeda directly in the face and knocking him to the turf, where he clutched his face in agony.
Injuries and Medical Response
The injured official was assisted by medical staff before being taken to hospital by ambulance. Reports indicated he suffered a fractured cheekbone and visible injuries around his left eye, although no official medical update on his condition has yet been released.
The match, part of Ecuador's 2026 Ascenso Nacional in the Group D semi-final stage of the third-tier Segunda Categoría, ended in a 1-0 win for Río Aguarico FC.
Club Statement and Legal Action
Ciudad de Yantzaza subsequently issued a statement condemning the incident, apologising publicly, and announcing Perlaza's immediate dismissal from the club.
The Ecuadorian Referees' Association said it would pursue criminal proceedings against Perlaza over the severity of Ojeda's injuries. Luis Muentes, of the association, told local media: "The player will face criminal prosecution because we cannot let this go unpunished."
Muentes added: "We hope the player's punishment will be announced, and we hope football will never be played at that stadium again."
