Video: Indonesian player banned for life after punching referee in the face

Punch: Rumaropen lands a swinging left hook which catches the referee by surprise

Indonesian footballer Pieter Rumaropen, who punched a referee in the face, has been banned for life by the countryâ€™s football authority.

The striker for Papua province club Persiwa Wamena, punched referee Muhaimin after he awarded a penalty to Pelita Bandung Raya during a Super League match on Sunday in West Javaâ€™s capital Bandung.

Tackle: The referee awarded a penalty to Pelita after this challenge

Muhaimin was taken to hospital where he received four stitches.

The match was held up for 15 minutes before a replacement official took over and gave Rumaropen a red card.

Hinca Panjaitan, a member of the disciplinary commission of Indonesiaâ€™s Football Association, PSSI, said Rumaropenâ€™s behavior damaged the image of the countryâ€™s football.

In 2008, PSSI imposed life bans on four players for beating up a referee and his assistants.

Rumaropen's Persiwa Wamena were tied 1-1 with Pelita Bandung Raya on Sunday when referee Muhaimin awarded a penalty to Pelita with eight minutes left on the clock.

Charge: Incensed by the penalty award, Rumaropen runs towards the referee

Video replays of the incident showed Rumaropen running up behind Muhaimin and landing a swinging left hook on the referee, who had to be admitted to a hospital due to excessive bleeding from his nose.

Persiwa, currently seventh in the 18-team league, lost 2-1 after their opponents converted the penalty.

Persiwa defender Richardo Roberto was also sent off in the first half of the match.

http://youtu.be/LoQoDL_YuNs

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