# Soccer Referee Ricardo Portillo dies after assault by player **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [May 7, 2013, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer-referee-ricardo-portillo-dies-after-assault-by-player/657735 "2013-05-07T19:52:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer-referee-ricardo-portillo-dies-after-assault-by-player/657735/1 "2013-05-07T19:52:11Z")
Here are a couple of links. I didn’t see another thread started on this yet so I thought I’d start one. A 17-year-old soccer player punched a recreation-league referee in the head in suburban Salt Lake City, the referee is dead. As a sports official from 10 & Under youth to NCAA Div 1; I can definitely relate to this. Sometimes sports brings out an anger in people they I don’t think they knew they had in them. I’ve had my tires flattened, paint scratched, threats to not walk to my car alone. I’ve never been struck, thankfully; but some of my officiating colleagues have. It’s never a good situation. Personally I think this is 2nd degree murder (no premeditation) and that the kid needs to be held responsible for his actions. I read that they are going to put more sponsors/adults/supervisors at the game to prevent this from happening again. That has to be about the dumbest thing in the world. You could have 100 more supervisors there; and that wouldn’t have stopped a thing. :rolleyes: What are your feelings on violence like this? What could be done to make it safer? I’m optimistic that this will stay out of Great Debates! 🙂 [http://msn.foxsports.com/other/story/utah-prosecutor-weighs-charges-in-death-of-referee-ricardo-portillo-050613](http://msn.foxsports.com/other/story/utah-prosecutor-weighs-charges-in-death-of-referee-ricardo-portillo-050613) > **[A Whistle, a Punch, and a Soccer Referee Is Dead (Published 2013)](https://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/07/sports/soccer/death-of-soccer-referee-ricardo-portillo-raises-questions-about-assaults-on-officials.html?_r=0)** > > The death of a Utah soccer referee a week after he was punched by a player raised questions about the seeming rise in severity of assaults on officials. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer-referee-ricardo-portillo-dies-after-assault-by-player/657735/2 "2013-05-07T19:59:13Z")
I reported the thread, as it might be better for the Game Room. (But as for this situation, I think they should treat the assailant as an adult, and not a juvenile offender.) ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer-referee-ricardo-portillo-dies-after-assault-by-player/657735/3 "2013-05-07T20:05:32Z")
Try the kid as an adult and lock him away for the next 10 years or so. Then ramp up the penalties for threatening a volunteer ref, and give them the power to fine adults for breaching the peace. $10,000/instance would be a good place to start. ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer-referee-ricardo-portillo-dies-after-assault-by-player/657735/4 "2013-05-07T20:07:31Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I reported the thread, as it might be better for the Game Room. (But as for this situation, I think they should treat the assailant as an adult, and not a juvenile offender.) Report away my friend. I thought about starting it in the Game Room; but then I thought at this point it’s not about the game… it’s about violence. ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer-referee-ricardo-portillo-dies-after-assault-by-player/657735/5 "2013-05-07T20:09:22Z")
Several states have (or are introducing) legislation specific to sports official violence. [http://www.naso.org/Resources/Legislation/LegislationStatus.aspx](http://www.naso.org/Resources/Legislation/LegislationStatus.aspx) ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer-referee-ricardo-portillo-dies-after-assault-by-player/657735/6 "2013-05-07T20:16:04Z")
I can’t tell from the table, but what do additional laws regarding violence on sports officials change? It’s already illegal to punch someone hard enough that it results in their death. Do the laws change the penalties? Should they? (That is, should it be punished more or less to punch and kill a ref than to punch and kill the guy who’s talking in the theater?) ---
**Author:** ![Laggard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de053/32.png) [@Laggard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laggard)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer-referee-ricardo-portillo-dies-after-assault-by-player/657735/7 "2013-05-07T20:38:08Z")
I officiated youth soccer for two years and quit because it just isn’t worth it. Taking up two hours of my summer night to get paid $20 and verbally abused by parents is just not worth it. On a related note the swarming of a official after an unpopular call has to end. The solution is to allow only the team captain to talk to the official. I believe the FA is looking at this. ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer-referee-ricardo-portillo-dies-after-assault-by-player/657735/8 "2013-05-07T20:40:36Z")
> [@Enright3](#): > > Report away my friend. I thought about starting it in the Game Room; but then I thought at this point it’s not about the game… it’s about violence. I tend to think of the Game Room as places to discuss games themselves, unless the news item is intrinsically linked to the game itself. So, I think it’s appropriate for IMHO. One of the other moderators might disagree though! ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer-referee-ricardo-portillo-dies-after-assault-by-player/657735/9 "2013-05-07T20:41:15Z")
I’m a football ref. My father and wife have both also been officials. I haven’t been assaulted, but I’ve only been doing it for a couple years. Had a few really angry coaches, never had a player problem. I’ve caught a cleat and been run into, it’s bad enough that the kids are wearing armor and I’m not, but nothing purposeful out of anger. Hearing about attacks like this is always scary. It’s not the first and it won’t be the last, and the fact that Portillo died is freakish rarity. As much as I want the dick who did it prosecuted, I very much doubt a murder charge would stick. Voluntary manslaughter combined with assorted aggravated assault charges and tried as an adult is the best we can hope for. ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer-referee-ricardo-portillo-dies-after-assault-by-player/657735/10 "2013-05-07T20:44:06Z")
As a parent of a child who plays soccer, I find the described treatment of officials by parents horrifying. (Of course the death is inexcusable.) The kids and adults who referee our games are sweet and helpful as the kids learn the game! (Mine child is 8.) I suppose it gets worse as they get older though. ---
**Author:** ![Furious\_Marmot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/dfb087/32.png) [@Furious\_Marmot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Furious_Marmot)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer-referee-ricardo-portillo-dies-after-assault-by-player/657735/11 "2013-05-07T21:00:24Z")
Are the field owners or game organizers required to carry insurance or pay for security? ---
**Author:** ![Laggard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de053/32.png) [@Laggard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laggard)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer-referee-ricardo-portillo-dies-after-assault-by-player/657735/12 "2013-05-07T21:03:29Z")
It was weird. Sometimes I would officiate games between two teams of 12 year olds obviously just playing to have fun. Those were a joy because for the most part parents appreciated that someone was willing to officiate. Then you would have these teams where their behavior was almost militant. They’d line up for pre-game inspection like I was a drill instructor and bark ‘yes sir!’ when I called their name. Those games were a nightmare as the coaches and parents were a little too involved in what was going on on the field. Those where the games where you hurried to your car after blowing the final whistle. Summer rec leagues were the worst of all of it. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer-referee-ricardo-portillo-dies-after-assault-by-player/657735/13 "2013-05-07T21:17:25Z")
> [@Enright3](#): > > [http://msn.foxsports.com/other/story/utah-prosecutor-weighs-charges-in-death-of-referee-ricardo-portillo-050613](http://msn.foxsports.com/other/story/utah-prosecutor-weighs-charges-in-death-of-referee-ricardo-portillo-050613) > [@](#): > > Teen could face charges in ref’s death Could? Is there _any_ reason he wouldn’t/shouldn’t?:dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2013, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer-referee-ricardo-portillo-dies-after-assault-by-player/657735/14 "2013-05-07T23:35:16Z")
Moving over the the Game Room. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2013, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer-referee-ricardo-portillo-dies-after-assault-by-player/657735/15 "2013-05-08T00:37:35Z")
What about giving helmets to the refs? I was a girls’ softball umpire for a summer when I was 14. The kids were fine. It was the under-10 league, and they had fun whether they won or not. But the parents were fucking \*brutal, \*although I was never assaulted. The training they gave us was brief and insufficient and I never really felt empowered to fight back. I cried when a mom got in my face over a close call I made, instead of throwing her out of the park like I should have. End of umpire career! > [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I reported the thread, as it might be better for the Game Room. (But as for this situation, I think they should treat the assailant as an adult, and not a juvenile offender.) That would be wholly inappropriate, as the offender was a minor at the time of the incident. What’s the point of having age-cutoffs for laws if we (as a society) disregard them whenever the fuck we feel like it? ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2013, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer-referee-ricardo-portillo-dies-after-assault-by-player/657735/16 "2013-05-08T00:51:22Z")
For better or worse, in some cases, [juveniles are tried as adults](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trial_as_an_adult) in the US. [This page](http://www.utcourts.gov/courts/juv/juvyfaq.htm) from the Utah courts says, "Can a juvenile be tried in adult court? There are several circumstances under which a juvenile may be tried in adult court. These include cases where the juvenile is fourteen years or older and has been charged with a serious felony. See Utah Code §78A-6-702 for examples." ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2013, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer-referee-ricardo-portillo-dies-after-assault-by-player/657735/17 "2013-05-08T00:59:09Z")
> [@Rachellelogram](#): > > What about giving helmets to the refs? > > That would be wholly inappropriate, as the offender was a minor at the time of the incident. What’s the point of having age-cutoffs for laws if we (as a society) disregard them whenever the fuck we feel like it? A helmet for the ref? Really? I’m sorry, but rec sports official shouldn’t have to armor up for a game where they wouldn’t get hurt by players who didn’t have rage issues. Wholly inappropriate? The reality is that age isn’t a toggle switch between youth and adult. There are in fact cases where a 17 y/o should be treated as an adult. Extreme violence is one of them if you ask me. If a 17 y/o killed one of your parents (or your husband if you’re old enough) are you going to be ok with that child getting a slap on the wrist? ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2013, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer-referee-ricardo-portillo-dies-after-assault-by-player/657735/18 "2013-05-08T01:06:38Z")
Try him as an adult. There aren’t any mitigating factors here, he’s violent, he killed someone, make him pay the price. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2013, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer-referee-ricardo-portillo-dies-after-assault-by-player/657735/19 "2013-05-08T01:56:31Z")
I guess there isn’t any video of the game. Wondering if the call was a good one (not that it’s any excuse, just curious). ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2013, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer-referee-ricardo-portillo-dies-after-assault-by-player/657735/20 "2013-05-08T03:42:10Z")
> [@Enright3](#): > > The reality is that age isn’t a toggle switch between youth and adult. There are in fact cases where a 17 y/o should be treated as an adult. There isn’t a toggle switch between childhood and adulthood, but our society has decided that we need one. Since society has determined we have to draw the line somewhere, then we have to make it consistent, across the board, no exceptions. 17-year-olds can’t buy cigarettes, vote, join the armed forces, or have autonomy from their parents. There are no borderline cases ANYWHERE, except when it comes to crime. It’s been well-established that young people have a lack of impulse control, due to a lack of cerebral development. This guy, miscreant or not, is still legally a child. It’s an unjust, ridiculous double standard to treat a minor as an adult, but only when they really piss us off. > [@Enright3](#): > > If a 17 y/o killed one of your parents (or your husband if you’re old enough) are you going to be ok with that child getting a slap on the wrist? First of all, he wouldn’t be getting a slap on the wrist. He would likely get juvenile detention per state law, for several years. Secondly, rational people know that the people affected by a crime are the \*least \*capable of deciding on an appropriate consequence. If a 17-year-old killed my boyfriend, I’d want to strangle him to death with my bare hands. But I am rational enough to know that the decision \*cannot \*be left up to me, as a close, emotional survivor of the victim. The one thing society absolutely cannot afford is to take the opinions of survivors into account when dispensing justice, unless we want to regress to a vigilante justice system. Despite what irrational small-minded people may think, criminal justice is \*\*not \*\*about revenge or punishment for crimes already committed. That is what the civil court system is for. In first-world countries, compensation to the survivors of victims comes in terms of dollar signs, not jail sentences. Criminal justice is exactly and only about protecting society from future crimes the criminal is likely to commit. > [@Enright3](#): > > Extreme violence is one of them if you ask me. I’m not asking you, and neither is the criminal justice system. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer-referee-ricardo-portillo-dies-after-assault-by-player/657735.md?page=2)