Female referee injured and replaced after scuffle in Metz friendly
During a July 25, 2026 friendly match between FC Metz and Fortuna Sittard at Schlossberg Stadium in Forbach, France, referee Mathilde Demoncay, 26, was knocked to the ground while breaking up a player scuffle. She suffered a concussion, briefly resumed as assistant referee, but was replaced at halftime. Metz won 3-1. The incident occurred near a banner reading “Respect the referee.”
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Referee Injured Trying to Break Up Scuffle in Friendly Match Between Metz and Fortuna Sittard
During a friendly football match between Metz and Fortuna Sittard, referee Mathilde Demoncay attempted to break up a scuffle between players Lequincio Zeefuik (Fortuna) and Jessy Deminguet (Metz). While intervening, she was accidentally hit, fell violently to the ground, and hit her head. The players continued pushing each other, seemingly unaware of her injury. The incident occurred in a stadium where a banner reading 'Respect the referee' was visible in the background. Demoncay initially moved to assistant referee until halftime but later had to withdraw, suspected of having suffered a concussion.
Female referee injured in melee during friendly between Metz and Fortuna Sittard
A female referee, Mathilde Demoncay, was injured and forced to leave the pitch during a friendly football match between French club Metz and Dutch club Fortuna Sittard. The 26-year-old referee suffered a concussion after being knocked to the ground while attempting to break up a melee between players. The confrontation began in the 40th minute following a shirt-tugging incident, escalating as players rushed in. Demoncay fell heavily, holding her arm, and was attended to by medical staff. She briefly resumed as assistant referee after play restarted but left at half-time, replaced by another assistant. Metz won the match 3-1.
Referee Collapses During FC Metz Friendly Match Against Fortuna Sittard
During a friendly match between FC Metz and Fortuna Sittard at the Schlossberg stadium in Forbach on July 25, 2026, an unusual incident occurred shortly before halftime. A scuffle broke out after a shirt pull, escalating tensions between the teams. In the confusion, referee Ms. Demoncay fell to the ground, prompting security agents to intervene. After a brief interruption, she resumed as an assistant referee while a colleague took over the main officiating role. However, visibly affected, she did not return after halftime and was replaced entirely. The match continued without further major incidents, ending with FC Metz winning 3-1, thanks to a brace from Gauthier Hein and a goal from Pape Moussa Fall. Jessy Deminguet and Zee Fuik received warnings after the altercation.
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Referee Thrown to Ground and Removed at Halftime After Violent Altercation in FC Metz Friendly
During a friendly match between FC Metz and Dutch club Fortuna Sittard on July 25, 2026, at Schlossberg Stadium in Forbach, France, the match referee, Ms. Demoncay, was pushed and thrown to the ground in the 40th minute after attempting to break up a scuffle between players. The altercation began when a Metz player pulled the shirt of a Dutch opponent in midfield. The referee fell backward, holding her arm, and remained on the ground for several minutes as assistants and security intervened. She initially resumed her position as assistant referee but was replaced at halftime due to the severity of the incident. Jessy Deminguet and Zee Fuik received yellow cards. FC Metz, leading 1-0 at the time of the incident, conceded an equalizer just before halftime but ultimately won 3-1 with goals from Gauthier Hein (brace) and Pape Moussa Fall.
Referee Injured and Replaced During Friendly Between Metz and Fortuna Sittard
During a friendly match between FC Metz and Fortuna Sittard on Saturday, the referee, Ms. Demoncay, was knocked to the ground amid a scuffle between players shortly before halftime. The incident occurred in the 40th minute after a Metz player pulled the shirt of a Dutch player, escalating tensions. Security personnel intervened, and the referee initially took up a position as an assistant referee before being replaced at halftime due to apparent injury. The match resumed with an assistant referee taking her place. Metz won 3-1, with goals from Gauthier Hein (brace) and Pape Moussa Fall. A banner reading 'respect the referee' was displayed in the stands.
Referee Injured and Replaced After Scuffle in Metz vs Fortuna Sittard Friendly
During a friendly match between FC Metz and Fortuna Sittard at Schlossberg Stadium in Forbach, a scuffle broke out shortly before halftime after a Metz player pulled the shirt of a Dutch player. In the ensuing commotion, referee Ms. Demoncay ended up on the ground. Security intervened, and she initially took up a position as an assistant referee. Her replacement cautioned Jessy Deminguet and Zee Fuik near a banner reading 'respect the referee.' After halftime, with the score 1-1, the injured referee did not return, and an assistant took her place. Metz ultimately won 3-1, with goals from Gauthier Hein (brace) and Pape Moussa Fall.