NewsChannel 3 will have reaction from the college and other players tonight starting at 5:00.
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An offensive lineman for a California community college was arrested Saturday on suspicion of battery after allegedly punching a referee during a game.
Mount San Antonio College freshman Bernard Schirmer was suspended Monday for clocking the referee during a Saturday night game.
“Mount San Antonio College will continue to complete an assessment of his conduct to determine what sanctions, if any, are appropriate for the incident”.
“The ref just got punched in the face by a player”, the broadcaster said.
The commissioner of the Southern California Football Association suspended Schirmer for what was termed a “Level 1 Decorum Infraction”, which carries a minimum 60-month suspension.
Referees and officials are supposed to be untouchable in sports.
After the punch, Schirmer begins walking away until a coach comes to take him over to the sideline.
Schirmer and the school as well as a Schirmer teammate, quarterback Rico Bruton, insist what happened was an accident. He hasn’t seen a physician.
All was good and well until Schirmer clocked the ref in the head. A fight began to break out between players from the opposing teams Saturday night.
In the video, Schirmer looks to have been in a verbal altercation with a player from Ventura College.
Video clearly showed the referee falling and appearing to be unconscious while he was trying to defuse a situation.
Shocked game broadcasters said they witnessed the punch after the referee, who was not immediately identified, broke up a dispute, according to the Ventura County Star.
Schirmer said he often attempts to compose himself by hitting himself on the helmet “so I calm myself down”.
Prosecutors will decide whether to charge Schirmer.
This Sunday, Sep. 11, 2016, photo provided by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office shows Bernard Schirmer.
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Schirmer was immediately ejected from the game and arrested on suspicion of battery. He posted bail Sunday.
