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SOCCER fans have attacked a referee in the worst case of violence against an official in the history of the league.
Referee Petros Katsiokalis was set upon by more than half a dozen thugs in a group of at least 20 spectators who punched, kicked and stomped on him after storming the pitch when their team BESA FC lost a cup night clash to the Western Strikers, at Carnegie Reserve, Royal Park, last week.
Mr Katsiokalis, 48, said he feared he was going to die.
"The last thing I remembered before blacking out was someone about to stomp on my head - when I came to I was covered in blood - I couldn't see anything for the blood in my eyes," recalled the veteran referee of 22 years, who ended up in hospital with a facial fracture, a cut forehead and severe bleeding.
"Nothing as bad as this has ever happened before."
A Strikers player who saw the bashing said it involved about seven to eight people and lasted about 20 seconds.
"There was a group of players near the referee but those people just rushed past us and went for the ref," said the player, who didn't want to be identified.
"At that stage we were trying to hold more supporters back and then the attackers were gone."
Police, BESA and amateur league officials have condemned the bashing and urged witnesses to the brutal assault on Friday night, May 13, to come forward and identify the attackers. League president Bill Bailey said the violence was the worst in the league's 45-year history.
"We have 100 clubs, 240 teams and 4500 players and this is an isolated incident but the worst I have heard involving a referee in my 35 years in the game," he said.
"BESA were suspended straight away and we have formed an investigative committee into the incident but I wouldn't expect a recommendation for a few days yet."
Options could include kicking BESA FC out the competition, as has happened to previous amateur soccer clubs associated with the Albanian community. In July 2008, the Black Eagles Soccer Club, BESA FC's predecessor, was banned after a sickening brawl in which an opponent was kicked unconscious.
The Black Eagles were previously banned in 2005 after one of its linesmen punched a referee during a match against Polonia.
BESA FC secretary and player George Precaj said the "disgusting" attack did not involve any players or officials and was condemned by the club which was started last year.
"We are asking everyone to go straight to the league if they have any information because this is damaging to the players, the club and the Albanian community," he said.
"It was a cowardly act and we don't need that in sport or society."
Police Inspector Steve Kameniar urged anyone with information to phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make contact online at sa.crimestoppers.com.au
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"I COULDN'T SEE FOR BLOOD IN MY EYES"
PETROS Katsiokalis recounts the beating he took while refereeing an amateur soccer night match for just $70 a game
"THE game was initially played in good spirits. But about 20 minutes before the end of extra time I knew there would be violence based on the threats from fans and that one tried to hit me during the game.
"I asked the (Western) Strikers' coach to call the police.
"I blew the final whistle while on the opposite side of the ground to the fans but a group of about 20 to 30 sprinted across the pitch to get me and one fan in a grey hooded top ran straight at me and threw a punch at my face. I went down to protect myself and was kicked in the head by more than three people.
"The last thing I remembered before blacking out was someone about to stomp on my head - when I came to I was covered in blood - I couldn't see anything for the blood in my eyes. But the aggressive fans were gone and a couple of Strikers' players and coach helped out as did the BESA president and captain coach.
"I never thought anything like this could ever happen. I was taken by ambulance to the QEH and had two stitches on a cut to my forehead, grazing to my head, cuts and bruises on my body, swollen eyes and a facial fracture between my left eye and nose. I was released the next morning.
"I've had trouble sleeping, time off work and my wife has told me to give it up - but I love the game too much."
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