DR Congo women’s footballers run after referee and beat him up in shocking clip | OneFootball

A video of a referee being chased down and beaten up by a football team has gone viral.

According to reports, the shocking incident happened during a match between two women’s football teams in DR Congo – DC Motema Pembe and TP Mazembe.

Motema Pembe were allegedly losing the match 5-1 when the referee declined to award the team a penalty.

The players reacted in anger, sprinting after the referee as he ran desperately across the pitch. They finally got hold of him and started beating him, although the referee is out of view at this point in the video.

Stadium staff tried to help the referee, even stopping one player who had picked up a metal bucket.

The referee managed to escape down the tunnel after several seconds of being beaten, but sMotema Pembe players still ran after him.

According to news outlet GhanaWeb, the Congolese Football Association suspended the players who were involved in the incident. They have also opened an investigation into the shocking scenes.

What is the reaction to the viral video?

Social media users reacted to the viral video with shock, with many calling for the players involved to be banned from football for life.

“CAF should step in immediately,” one Twitter post read. “This errant team should be completely disbanded.

“The players involved in this disgraceful act should never have to play professional football again. Everyone involved should be made to pay in one way or the other.”

Another Twitter user wrote: “This is shocking! And an embarrassment for football”, while a third commented: “Such despicable and disgusting behaviour”.

Someone else posted “Where do you even get the energy of chasing the referee for denying you a penalty when you're behind by 5 goals?”

While there has not yet been an update from the Congolese Football Association on the consequences for the DC Motema Pembe, the punishment is likely to be severe. Whether FIFA also decides to step in remains to be seen.