A soccer semi-final match involving Swilly Rovers and Rathmullan Celtic was abandoned five minutes into the second half on Sunday in Ramelton following an alleged assault on referee Gerald Devine. The match official had just awarded a penalty to Swilly who were leading 1-0 at the time. It was a decision that was strenuously contested by a Rathmullan Celtic player and led to an alleged altercation that left the referee on the ground. When the match official got to his feet, he abandoned the game as per rule where there is an alleged assault on a referee. A spokesperson confirmed to the Tribune that when the Donegal League League Committee receives the referee’s match report it will be forwarded to the FAI’s Disciplinary Control Unit if there is reference to an assault on the match official. The rule book states where a player or official has been reported as having committed an assault on a match official, the League must refer the matter to the Disciplinary Control Unit. A club or participant may also refer the matter to them.
