A female referee was slapped in the face after she sent off a player during a match in Colombia.

The incident occurred last Saturday during a game between Deportivo Quique and Real Alianza at the Chelo Castro Stadium in Aracataca.

In the 66th minute of the match, Vanessa Ceballos approached the substitutes’ bench to give a red card to Real Alianza’s Javier Bolivar for unsportsmanlike conduct.

As Ceballos produced the red card, Bolivar stood up from the bench and confronted the female official. He then raised his right hand and slapped her in the mouth before he was pulled away.

Ceballos, an experienced FIFA official who was part of the first all-female team to referee a men’s professional match in Colombia four years ago, was furious with Bolivar’s assault and had to be restrained by a member of Real Alianza’s coaching staff, as well as two of their players, when she attempted to retaliate.

Bolivar has denied intentionally slapping Ceballos and claims he was trying to pull the whistle out of her mouth.

‘I recognise that my behaviour was disrespectful and inappropriate, unbecoming of an athlete and a human being,’ Bolivar wrote in a statement on Instagram.

‘By foolishly trying to take the whistle out of the referee’s mouth, I acted incorrectly, sending a negative message that should never have happened.

‘I want to make it absolutely clear that at no time was there any physical aggression toward the referee.

‘However, I understand that my gesture was offensive and portrayed her as contrary to the values ​​of football and respect.

This Is Not Right

On November 25, 2024 Metro launched This Is Not Right, a year-long campaign to address the relentless epidemic of violence against women.

With the help of our partners at Women’s Aid, This Is Not Right aims to shine a light on the sheer scale of this national emergency.

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• Introducing This Is Not Right: Metro’s year-long violence against women campaign
• Remembering the women killed by men in 2024

‘Therefore, I humbly apologise to her, her family, the women, and everyone who was affected by what happened.

‘I firmly reject any form of violence, especially against women. Women deserve all our respect, care, and admiration.

‘My commitment is to work on my personal and athletic growth so as to never again repeat an act that violates anyone’s dignity.’

Real Alianza have since confirmed that Bolivar has been kicked out of their team.

‘Real Alianza categorically condemns the regrettable events that occurred today, in which a player from our club assaulted a refereeing team. This totally unacceptable act does not reflect the values ​​that define us as an institution,’ said a statement from the Colombian side.

‘The club has made the final decision to retire the player, reaffirming our commitment to respect, discipline, and fair play.

‘Violence, in any form, has no place in sport or in society. Just as we condemn the aggression suffered by referees, we also raise our voices against violence against women and any manifestation that violates human dignity.

‘Football must be a space of peace, respect, brotherhood, and an example for all.’

In her statement, the president of the Magdalena Football League, Roxana Arrieta Cruz, condemed the attack on Ceballos.

‘We do not accept any type of verbal or physical violence against women,’ Cruz said.

‘Soccer should be a competitive space within the framework of respect for all participants and attendees of the greatest show on earth.’

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