Police: Man dead after fight over ref decision at adult soccer game
A 29-year-old man is dead from injures sustained during an on-field fight over a referee's call at an adult soccer game, according to Oxnard, California police.
Per OPD, Misael Sanchez of Port Hueneme, California, died on Monday, 15 days after sustaining injuries in the July 10 game. His cause of death was pending an autopsy.
Per police, Sanchez was "involved in a large soccer fight that included players from both teams and spectators" that broke out on a field at Oxnard High School. The soccer league was unaffiliated with the school, the Ventura County Star reports. Per a police report from the day of the fight, officers arrived to find Sanchez unresponsive and not breathing. He was transported to a local hospital.
Witnesses told police that the fight broke out when opposing teams disagreed with a referee's decision. Sanchez was assaulted by multiple assailants, according to the police report. Police say they arrested a 46-year-old man the day of the fight, but didn't note that any formal charges had been filed in Monday's release. The investigation is ongoing, and police are seeking help from witnesses who may have recorded video of the fight.
