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Soccer player dies from injuries suffered in fight at adult league match in California

Jeremy Childs, Ventura County Star
·2 min read

A 29-year-old California man died Monday from injuries he suffered weeks earlier during a fight at an adult soccer game held at Oxnard (California) High School.

The fight, which reportedly erupted over a disagreement with a referee's decision, occurred around 11 a.m. July 10 at the high school's campus, according to the Oxnard Police Department. The soccer game was part of an adult sports league that is unaffiliated with the school.

The victim, identified by Oxnard police as Misael Sanchez of Port Hueneme, California, was a soccer player who became embroiled in the fight between players on opposite teams and spectators of the game. He was transported to Ventura County Medical Center in critical condition, authorities said.

"The fight occurred when the two teams disagreed with a referee's decision," Oxnard police said, according to CNN. "During the fight, Sanchez was assaulted by multiple assailants," police said.

A fight at a soccer game held at Oxnard High School on July 10 led to a 29-year-old man getting hospitalized with critical injuries. He succumbed to his injuries on Monday.
A fight at a soccer game held at Oxnard High School on July 10 led to a 29-year-old man getting hospitalized with critical injuries. He succumbed to his injuries on Monday.

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After more than two weeks, Sanchez succumbed to his injuries early Monday morning, according to police. The Ventura County Medical Examiner's Office is scheduled to perform an autopsy on Sanchez's body on Tuesday.

The family has created a GoFundMe to pay for Sanchez's funeral and memorial. "My family is heartbroken and still in disbelief, as we expected a bright future for him," the Sanchez family posted on the verified GoFundMe page.

Oxnard police arrested a 46-year-old man at the fight on suspicion of felony battery, but continue to investigate the incident for possible additional arrests. Anyone who may have taken photos or video recordings of the fight can submit them to police here.

Anyone who may have information for investigators can contact Detective Carey Everhart at 805-486-6228 or carey.everhart@oxnardpd.org, or Detective Jaime Miranda at 805-385-7547 or jaime.miranda@oxnardpd.org. Information can also be submitted anonymously by calling Ventura County Crime Stoppers at 805-222-8477.

Jeremy Childs is a breaking news and general assignment reporter for the Ventura County Star. He can be reached at jeremy.childs@vcstar.com and on Twitter @Jeremy_Childs.

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: California soccer player dies after fight erupts at adult league game