Women footballer kicks male referee in the balls after being sent off
Ecuador's FA has opened an inquiry, and hot-tempered No11 Caicedo could face a lengthy ban.
Women’s football star Shirley Caicedo has been sent off... for kicking a referee in the nuts.
The midfielder plays for Leonas del Norte in Ecuador's Women's Super League.
Caicedo, 19, helped her side take the lead in a recent home clash with Club Nanas.
But tempers flared as the visitors went 2-1 in front in added time.
Bleached-blonde Caicedo first picked up the ball and booted it at the hapless official, narrowly missing his head.
She then joined a posse of angry Leonas players confronting the ref - and kicked him in the groin before shocked teammates could usher her away.
But Ecuador's FA has opened an inquiry, and hot-tempered No11 Caicedo could face a lengthy ban.
Images of the incident have since gone around the world.
One observer wrote: "That ref must have balls of steel. He barely reacts!"
This wasn't the only worrying incident involving a referee to have happened in the last week.
Over in Brazil, a match descended into chaos when a red-carded men's player ran after a female referee.
Nautico player Jean Carlos took issue with the referee's decision during his side's clash with Retro - having to be held back by his teammates.
