Football Referee Concussed
Female Referee Suffers Concussion Breaking Up Player Melee in Friendly Match
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Key Points
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Mathilde Demoncay was 26 years old at the time of the incident.
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The report notes Demoncay remained on the turf for several minutes, holding her arm, before resuming as an assistant referee once play restarted.
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Video clips of the incident circulated on social media, with footage showing Demoncay tumbling to the ground as on-site staff moved in to assist.
A 26-year-old female referee suffered a concussion after being knocked to the ground during a men's pre-season friendly in France, according to Daily Mail. Mathilde Demoncay was hurt in the 40th minute of a match between Ligue 2 side Metz and Dutch club Fortuna Sittard at Schlossberg Stadium in Forbach, eastern France.
Demoncay was attempting to break up a fight between players when she was knocked over. The brawl started after a shirt-pulling incident, and several players quickly joined the confrontation. The whole scene unfolded directly in front of a banner that read "Respect the referee," Yahoo Sports reported.
Demoncay Stays on the Pitch Then Exits at Halftime
After being knocked down, Demoncay lay on the turf for several minutes, holding her arm. Security guards, medical staff, and assistant referees rushed in to check on her. She eventually got back up and resumed her role as an assistant referee once play restarted, Daily Mail reported.
She left the pitch at halftime. Another official stepped in to take over her duties for the second half. Metz went on to win the match 3-1 but offered no public comment on the incident.
Video of the Incident Spread Quickly on Social Media
Footage of the melee circulated widely online after the match. The video showed Demoncay tumbling to the ground as players clashed around her. On-site staff can be seen moving in quickly to help her, according to Yahoo Sports.
The clip drew widespread attention because of the stark backdrop — the "Respect the referee" sign visible just behind the incident. The images were shared across multiple platforms and picked up by international outlets.
Fortuna Sittard Calls It a Remarkable Moment, Metz Stays Silent
Fortuna Sittard, who lost the friendly 3-1, described the episode as a "remarkable moment" in their post-match report, according to Yahoo Sports. The Dutch club did not go into further detail but acknowledged the incident publicly. Metz made no comment at all.
The contrast in responses drew notice. One club flagged the moment as worth mentioning. The other said nothing. Neither club has announced any disciplinary steps against the players involved in the brawl.
Incident Highlights Safety Risks for Female Officials in Men's Football
Female referees working men's matches face unique physical risks when confrontations break out on the pitch. Demoncay's injury happened in a pre-season friendly — a match that carries no competitive stakes — making the violence all the more striking, Daily Mail noted.
There has been no formal statement from French football authorities or referee governing bodies about the incident as of the time of reporting. Demoncay's condition beyond the confirmed concussion has not been publicly disclosed.
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