Female referee suffers concussion

A female referee suffered concussion when she was knocked to the ground as she tried to break ​up a melee between male players during a ‌friendly between French club Metz and Fortuna Sittard of the Netherlands on Saturday, media reports said.

Referee Mathilde Demoncay was unable to ​continue after the incident at Schlossberg Stadium in ​Forbach, eastern France, where the two teams were ⁠preparing for their respective new seasons.

In the match report on ​their website, opens new tab, Fortuna Sittard, who lost the game 3-1, described ​the episode as a "remarkable moment" but did not comment further. Metz had no report of the incident on their website.

Tension flared ​in the 40th minute when two opposing players confronted ​each other after a shirt-tugging incident. Other players rushed to join in ‌the ⁠confrontation.

Demoncay ended up on the ground after attempting to intervene, falling heavily after being knocked in the melee, video on social media, opens new tab showed. The fight happened in front ​of a large ​sign reading: "Respect ⁠the referee".

Demoncay remained on the turf for several minutes, holding her arm, while assistant ​referees, security personnel and medical staff ran on ​to ⁠the pitch to restore order and assess her condition.

The 26-year-old Demoncay resumed as the assistant referee after play restarted ⁠but ​left the field at halftime, with ​another assistant taking over her duties. Reports said Demoncay had suffered concussion.