High school footballer charged over 'disgusting' on-field act

A high school football player was escorted from the field by police and later charged with assault after charging a referee who had ejected him from a game moments earlier.

Edinburg High School defensive lineman Emmanuel Duron slammed into 58-year-old referee Fred Garcia, incensed over his ejection for unsportsmanlike conduct during the Thursday game.

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Garcia was assessed for injuries in an ambulance a short time later.

Coaches and teammates had to restrain Duron after he charged the referee, an incident which has since been labelled’ disgusting’.

The incident reflects poorly on the young player, who had previously been named the district’s defensive player of the year.

Duron was escorted from the field by police, and was later charged with assault and held in jail on a bond of $10,000 USD.

The Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District announced the team would forfeit their spot in the upcoming playoffs as a result of the incident, and apologised to the referee and his family.

“The district has decided to remove the Edinburg High School football team from the playoffs after an unexpected incident involving a student that occurred during a football game on December 3, 2020,” their statement said.

“We extend a sincere apology to the referee and his family. On behalf of the Edinburg CISD Board of Trustees and administration, we apologise to the athletes, staff, and our school community.

“We will take the appropriate disciplinary action once we understand the facts and circumstances underlining this incident.

“The district takes these matters very seriously; however, we cannot comment further on a pending investigation.”

Ugly referee incident sparks outrage

Many were quick to condemn the high-schooler’s actions on social media, where it was also revealed he was slated to contest a state wrestling title.

Local reporter in Edinburgh, Texas, Andrew McCulloch, labelled it an ‘ugly moment’.

“On top having an all-area caliber season on the defensive line for Edinburg High, Duron was positioned to compete for a state wrestling title too,” he posted to Twitter.

“Hard to see that happening now.”

CBS news editor Stephen Sanchez described it as ‘unacceptable’, while others were very critical of Duron’s actions.