Tag: Fernando Hernandez

Crotch-kneeing Liga MX referee gets 12-game ban

When the crime is unprecedented, it’s always interesting to see what the punishment will be

It was hard to know exactly what the punishment for Fernando Hernández’s crime would be. After all, a referee kneeing a player in the crotch is pretty much unprecedented.

But now we know: On Tuesday, the Mexican Football Federation (FMF) banned Hernández 12 games for his knee to the groin of León’s Lucas Romero on Saturday night.

“Fernando Hernández Gomez, center referee of the match [Club América vs. Leon], is sanctioned by the Disciplinary Committee with a 12-game suspension, for violating Article 30, paragraph g) of the FMF’s Regulation of Sanctions, by engaging in violent conduct against a player,” read a statement from the FMF.

After allowing a controversial América goal to stand, Hernández was immediately surrounded by a host of angry León players, including Romero.

With Romero getting particularly up close and personal, Hernández tried a novel strategy to get himself a little more breathing room: a swift knee to the player’s crotch.

Romero would not escape punishment either, though his was less severe: a two-game ban for “violating the principles of sportsmanship and Fair Play, through actions towards match officials,” per the FMF.

León manager Nicolas Larcamon and América manager Fernando Ortiz, who were both given red cards in the match after nearly coming to blows, were also handed two-game suspensions for violent conduct.

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Liga MX referee delivers vigilante justice with knee to Leon player’s crotch

Can referees get red cards? Asking for Leon

If you want pure chaos, you go to Liga MX.

Saturday night was another memorable example, as Club América’s match against León featured the referee — you know, the guy charged with upholding the rules — catching a León player with a brutal knee to the nether regions.

It all kicked off midway through the second half with León up 1-0. Off an América corner, Diego Valdés slotted home after a scramble that appeared to include a handball from Israel Reyes in the build-up.

Much to León’s chagrin, however, the goal was given, which sparked furious protests from their players. Referee Fernando Hernández was fully surrounded, with an enraged Lucas Romero getting particularly up close and personal.

Romero may have been out of line, but nobody could’ve imagined what came next. It wasn’t initially clear in real-time but replays confirmed that Hernández delivered a swift but forceful knee straight to Romero’s crotch.

Ouch.

If there was VAR for referee misconduct, Hernández would’ve been sent off after a video review, but instead he’ll have to wait for whatever disciplinary measures are sure to follow.

This being Liga MX, the fun was hardly over. Hernández would later send off both managers who nearly came to blows, and then León’s Joel Campbell would score a stoppage-time equalizer in a 2-2 draw.

What a night. Watch the entire Romero-Hernández incident below.

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