A surprising incident took place during a Colombian football match after a player struck a female referee following his dismissal from the game.
The confrontation unfolded last Saturday at the Chelo Castro Stadium in Aracataca during a match between Deportivo Quique and Real Alianza. In the 66th minute, experienced FIFA official Vanessa Ceballos approached the substitutes’ bench to show a red card to Real Alianza’s Javier Bolivar for unsportsmanlike conduct.
As Ceballos produced the red card, Bolivar rose from the bench and confronted the referee. Video footage shows him raising his right hand and making contact with her face before being pulled away by teammates and coaching staff. The incident left Ceballos visibly angry, requiring restraint from multiple people when she attempted to respond.
Ceballos holds significant standing in Colombian football, having been part of the groundbreaking first all-female officiating team to referee a men’s professional match in the country four years ago.
In the aftermath, Bolivar has offered a controversial explanation for his actions, claiming he was attempting to remove the whistle from the referee’s mouth rather than intentionally striking her.
“I recognise that my behaviour was disrespectful and inappropriate, unbecoming of an athlete and a human being,” Bolivar wrote in a statement posted to Instagram. “By foolishly trying to take the whistle out of the referee’s mouth, I acted incorrectly, sending a negative message that should never have happened.”
Despite his explanation, Bolivar acknowledged the severity of his actions: “I want to make it absolutely clear that at no time was there any physical aggression toward the referee. However, I understand that my gesture was offensive and portrayed her as contrary to the values of football and respect.”
The player extended his apology beyond just Ceballos: “Therefore, I humbly apologise to her, her family, the women, and everyone who was affected by what happened. I firmly reject any form of violence, especially against women. Women deserve all our respect, care, and admiration.”
Real Alianza responded swiftly to the incident, immediately terminating Bolivar’s contract with the club. Their official statement left no room for ambiguity about their position on the matter.
“Real Alianza categorically condemns the regrettable events that occurred today, in which a player from our club assaulted a refereeing team. This totally unacceptable act does not reflect the values that define us as an institution,” the Colombian side declared.
The club emphasized their zero-tolerance approach: “The club has made the final decision to retire the player, reaffirming our commitment to respect, discipline, and fair play. Violence, in any form, has no place in sport or in society.”
Their statement also addressed broader issues of violence against women: “Just as we condemn the aggression suffered by referees, we also raise our voices against violence against women and any manifestation that violates human dignity. Football must be a space of peace, respect, brotherhood, and an example for all.”
Local football authorities have also condemned the incident. Roxana Arrieta Cruz, president of the Magdalena Football League, issued a strong rebuke of the player’s actions.
“We do not accept any type of verbal or physical violence against women,” Cruz stated. “Soccer should be a competitive space within the framework of respect for all participants and attendees of the greatest show on earth.”
The response from both the club and league officials have been swift. Such behavior should not be tolerated, and the response sets an important precedent for how similar incidents should be handled in the future.