Regina police seek soccer player after ref punched

Regina police are looking for a 26-year-old soccer player accused of punching a referee at an indoor game Wednesday night.

According to police, the 45-year-old ref was knocked unconscious during a World Class Players Cup match at the Credit Union Eventplex.

People at the match, between Sudan and Poland, said it was a player with the Sudan team who threw the punch.

"Preliminary investigation indicates the victim had been struck in the jaw, causing him to fall, unconscious, to the ground," the Regina Police Service said in a press release.

Hussam Ibrahim, who's from Sudan and was watching the game, which Poland won 4-1, said emotions were running high.

"Things got out of hand, people started fouling and tackling each other," Ibrahim said.

The referees handed out two red cards to Sudan and two red cards to Poland.

"All hell broke loose" when the ref went to deliver a third red card, he said.

"I didn't see a punch, but he touched his [the ref's] face," Ibrahim said. "By no means am I justifying it, no touching should ever happen ... but from a fan's point of view, the ref overreacted."

The referee refused an ambulance but was advised to seek medical follow-up, police said.

Police were on the scene and searched the locker room and other areas of the building, but couldn't find the suspect.

Police haven't released the suspect's name, but said it's believed he's from Alberta.