Female Referee with Bloodied Face, 'Puk' Caught on Camera as Intruder Rushes onto Soccer Field

After the accident, taken to a nearby hospital for emergency surgery
Currently reported to have completed surgery and been discharged

A female referee in Spanish professional football suffered a serious facial injury after colliding with a broadcast camera. On the 26th (Korean time), the UK-based TalkSPORT reported that Guadalupe Foras, a female assistant referee, was injured after colliding with a broadcast camera during the 2023-24 La Liga Round 26 match between Real Betis and Athletic Club Bilbao held at Estadio Benito Villamar?n in Seville, Spain.

A female referee in Spanish professional soccer suffered a serious facial injury after colliding with a camera.
[Photo by TalkSports]

The accident occurred in the 13th minute of the first half, right after Real Betis forward Ezequiel ?vila scored the opening goal. After confirming ?vila's goal and returning to her position, assistant referee Foras collided with DAZN's close-up 4K camera that was filming ?vila's goal celebration. The situation happened in an instant, leaving Foras's face covered in blood. Real Betis club officials placed her on a stretcher, loaded her into an ambulance, and rushed her to a nearby hospital. The match was delayed, and the fourth official, Olgeras Castellanos, replaced Foras. After the game resumed, the spectators at Benito Villamar?n applauded in support of Foras.

After the match, a video capturing the collision scene was shared through social networking services (SNS), leading to a flood of criticism toward the professional football association. This is because if photographers enter the stadium, players and referees could be put at risk.
[Photo by TalkSports]

Foras was diagnosed with a "serious facial injury accompanied by wounds" and underwent emergency surgery. It is reported that she has since completed the surgery and been discharged. Veteran referee Eduardo Ituralde Gonz?lez stated, "The camera went where it shouldn't have," urging league president Javier Tebas to speak with the cameramen to prevent a recurrence.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.