Sport

Defender throttles ref

July 20, 2010 Edition 1

SANTIAGO: While many footballers have thought about it, few have actually attempted it - but Paraguayan defender Jose Pedroso went that extra step at the weekend when he actually tried to strangle the referee.

The incident, which has been posted on the video-sharing website YouTube, occurred in a highly charged Chilean second division match between Pedroso's team Rangers and their opponents Deportes Concepcion.

It took place just after the referee had ordered a penalty against Rangers to be retaken three times.

Pedroso was penalised for a violent challenge on an opponent that was enough to earn him his second yellow card and an early dismissal.

But instead of walking back to the dressing room for a lonely early shower, Pedroso saw a different kind of red, grabbing the referee Marcelo Miranda by the throat.

He was quickly separated from the man in black by his teammates before launching a second desperate attack on Miranda. He was escorted out of the ground by the police.

According to the local press, Pedroso has decided to quit Rangers and return to Paraguay. - Sapa-AFP