A footballer has been dismissed by his club after throwing a rock at an assistant referee's face, leaving the official with a fractured cheekbone. The incident, captured on video, has now come to light.
Incident during match in Ecuador
Jhon Perlaza was playing for Club Deportivo Ciudad de Yantzaza against Rio Aguarico FC in Ecuador on Saturday, October 17, when the episode took place. During a dispute over the referee's decisions, Perlaza picked up a stone while hiding behind an oil drum near the substitutes' bench and threw it at assistant referee Lenin Ojeda.
His first attempt missed, but a second stone struck Ojeda squarely in the face, sending him to the ground clutching his face in pain. The official received medical attention before being taken to hospital by ambulance.
Injuries and club response
Reports indicated Ojeda sustained a fractured cheekbone and visible wounds around his left eye, though no official medical statement has been issued. The match, part of Ecuador's 2026 Ascenso Nacional in the Group D semi-final phase of the third-tier Segunda Categoría, ended in a 1-0 victory for Rio Aguarico FC.
Ciudad de Yantzaza released a statement denouncing the incident, offering a public apology, and confirming Perlaza's immediate dismissal from the club.
Criminal proceedings announced
The Ecuadorian Referees' Association said it would pursue criminal proceedings against Perlaza in response to the severity of Ojeda's injuries. Luis Muentes, representing 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."
