A Brazilian referee who sparked a mini-riot by punching a pitch-invading fan has insisted that he would do it all over again if the situation ever arose again. Luiz Carlos Silva punched the fan several times in the derby between America and Atletico Miniero on Sunday. "Everything I did yesterday, I did conscientiously and I would do it again," Silva told Brazilian media on Monday. "I'm a self-employed worker and if that guy had landed a punch, I could have been off work when I've got five children to raise. "I had to defend myself and I did it by going onto the attack. If I had run away, it would have looked bad. I was not prepared to suffer this embarrassment with my children watching." Silva's actions led to chaos as Atletico players tried to protect the fan from police, with goalkeeper Danrlei claiming that officers attacked him when he tried to intervene. The game itself was fiery to say the least, with nine yellow cards and three sendings-off.
RE: Frisk In my opinion, the referee has every right to protect himself from the lunatics that run on the field. After all, they are human just like you and me. I think some reporters are coming down on this ref as though he is a bad guy. He really isn't. Obviously he has a family to think about and he cares about them. Just as in the States, fans need to be reprimanded more for their behavior at sporting events. Just because you buy a ticket does not give you the right to be an ass to players and refs all game long. People can boo and be negative all they want, but do not take it to a personal level or you are crossing the line in my opinion.
RE: Frisk When a fan goes on the pitch, he is trespassing. When he runs toward a player or ref, that is enough for 'implied intent of assault' ...Pure and simple. Open and shut, but i wont be surprised if that fan files assault charges. In the states, that's what would happen.
Re: RE: Frisk This is a sad, but true statement. People here in the States are always looking for quick, easy, unearned money and it is a problem in our society. Just like the fans in Detroit at the Pistons-Pacers brawl. While it was wrong for Artest and company to jump in the stands, the fans insinuated the whole thing and started a riot. Now people are filing lawsuits against the players and such. What a joke.
