Violence in Argentine football is spreading, with on-pitch violence between players and fans of opposing team brawling in the stands occurring every now and then.
However, the violence has turned fatal, with a referee in the South American powerhouse getting shot and killed by a player, as per Goal.
Cesar Flores, a 48-year-old official, was murdered by a football player minutes after giving him a red card for hitting another player.
The tragic incident occurred in Cordoba district, as Flores was shot three times by the player – once in the chest, the neck, and the head.
Scene of the crime: Referee shot dead in Argentina after sending off a player
Another player by the name of Walter Zarate was also struck by a bullet; however, he was taken to hospital and is fortunately not in critical condition.
As per the Metro, the player (unnamed) was carrying the gun in a backpack, and is now the subject of a manhunt.
Argentine police later confirmed that the incident played out during the match, as they remain in the dark over what happened with the referee in the minutes leading up to his murder.
“It all happened during the match. We don’t know what happened with the referee but the player was angry and went to get his gun and killed him,” revealed a spokesman, as written by the British news outlet.
