An assistant referee in La Liga was left bloodied and requiring treatment after colliding with a camera during Real Betis’ clash with Athletic Club.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Early goal at Benito Villamarin StadiumOfficial caught up in celebrationsTaken away in an ambulanceWHAT HAPPENED?
Female official Guadalupe Porras was the unfortunate linesperson in question as she took up a position on the touchline at Benito Villamarin Stadium. She was involved in proceedings for just 13 minutes before having to be escorted to hospital.
AdvertisementTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Porras was heading back towards the halfway line after helping to confirm Chimy Avila’s opening goal for Betis. She never made it that far as medical staff rushed to her aid with a stretcher and moved her into a nearby ambulance.
DID YOU KNOW?
Porras is reported to have collided with a DAZN 4K television camera operator who was looking to film close-ups of the goal celebrations. She was left sporting a nasty cut above her eye and was replaced on the sidelines by fourth official Holgueras Castellanos following a lengthy delay to proceedings.
WHAT FORMER REFEREE SAID
Questions are now being asked of whether cameras need to get so close to the action, with former La Liga referee Eduardo Iturralde Gonzalez telling Cadena SER: “Message to Javier Tebas [Liga president] – the camera goes where it shouldn't go. Please let them work, the assistant referee is as professional as a player.”