Indonesian striker gets life ban for punching referee

Indonesia's Pieter Rumaropen, who punched a referee in the face during a Super League match at the weekend, was banned for life by the country's football association (PSSI) on Wednesday. [Related: Indonesian soccer player faces sanctions for sucker-punching ref] The PSSI disciplinary committee arrived at the decision after watching video footage of the incident and going through the match referee's report, said a statement on the Super League website. Persiwa Wamena striker Rumaropen appeared to lose his temper when referee Muhaimin awarded opponents Pelita Bandung Raya a penalty with eight minutes left in the match level at 1-1. Video replays of the incident showed Rumaropen, who was later shown a red card, running up behind Muhaimin and landing a swinging left hook on the referee. The referee had to be admitted to a hospital due to excessive bleeding and needed four stitches, according to the statement. - Reuters