Man Punches Foxboro Hockey Referee, Banned From League For Life

FOXBORO, MA — An amateur hockey player has been banned from the league for life after he was caught on camera punching a referee during a game in Foxboro Sunday.

Foxboro police responded to the Foxboro Sports Center at 10 E Belcher Road Sunday afternoon after receiving reports of an altercation between two adult men, a hockey player, and a referee for the game.

The U.S. Premier Hockey League reacted by banning the unnamed player for life, league Commissioner Bob Turow said in a statement.

"The action taken today by a USPHL player is completely unacceptable in the USPHL. The USPHL has zero tolerance for any player striking any official, at any time," Turow said. "The player in question's actions have led to a lifetime ban."

A video of the incident posted on Twitter shows the referee getting hit by the player as he ran towards the puck during the first period. The two exchanged in some form of argument, and the referee signaled to throw the player out of the game.

Guided by another referee, the player started to head off the ice, but instead is seen in the video punching the referee in the face, knocking him to the ice.

The Foxboro Police Department told Patch they are aware of the situation and are currently investigating the incident to decide if criminal charges will be filed.

No additional information was immediately available.