Message to our AYSC members:
My name is Matteo Rustico, and I am the Vice President of Competitive at the Aurora Youth Soccer Club. Many of you may know me from seeing me around Shepards Bush or during the Club recreational tournaments. I have a story that I would like to share with everyone at our club.
Its a story which unfortunately puts a deep dark mark on the game I love, and have loved since I was about 4. Its a story of a game that turned to tragedy.
On April 27, 2013 Ricardo Portillo said good bye to his family, and was on his way to doing something he enjoyed and had a passion for. He arrived at the location where two teams would square off in a Soccer Match. Ricardo was going to officiate this game.
The game was a local recreational league and started like any other game...everyone having fun and being involved in the game. During the game, a corner kick was called and in the midst of the corner kick being taken, some pushing and shoving started in the box. A warning was given to one of the players and like most players in all sports do, he argued with the Referee. The referee showed him a yellow card for his actions and ongoing verbal attack as is in his right to do so in such circumstances.
The 17 year old young man took his verbal abuse to physical and punched Ricardo in the side of his face just behind the jaw while he was writing in his book. Ricardo dropped, blood coming out of his mouth and very shortly after went into a coma that he would never come out of. He died this past Sunday.
He will never kiss or hug his children good night. He will never be able to say "I love you" to his wife and he will never, ever be able to do what he loved so much....referee a game.
WHY!!!??? when are we going to learn?
A childs game, that cost one man his life, another young man will be going to jail and 2 families that will never be the same.
Those of you who are reading this, I want you to make a promise to yourself and to all the soccer lovers out there.
I am going to respect the referee and officials.
I am going to respect the parents.
I am going to respect the players.
I am going to respect the game.
I am going to remind others to do the same.
I know this took place in UTAH, USA but this could happen here. Sometimes it just takes a tap on the shoulder to remind someone that they are going over the top.
We have a great club and community here. Lets keep it that way and remind ourselves that at the end of it all "its just a game".
See you on the pitch!
This is the link to the full story:
http://aol.sportingnews.com/soccer/story/2013-05-08/soccer-referee-dies-homicide-assault-punch-coma-ricardo-portillo
Regards,
Matteo Rustico
VP of Competitive
Aurora Youth Soccer Club
Last Updated on Friday, 10 May 2013 16:46
