Red Card Assault Sparks Outrage in Colombian Third Division Match

Bogotá, September 4, 2025 - A viral video showing referee Vanessa Ceballos being struck by a player after issuing a red card has ignited public outrage and calls for stricter sanctions in Colombian amateur football.

In a Category Primera C fixture between Deportivo Quique and Real Alianza Aracataca on August 30, Ceballos, 28, showed defender Javier Bolívar a straight red in the 66th minute for a reckless tackle. The player retaliated with a slap to her face, an incident that was captured on stadium CCTV and quickly spread across social media on Thursday.

Teammates and opponents intervened to separate Bolívar from the referee. In the days following the match, Bolívar issued a written apology, calling his reaction “disrespectful and inappropriate,” and attempted to downplay the assault as an impulsive effort to remove Ceballos’s whistle.

Colombian Football Federation (Difútbol) president Jorge Márquez condemned the attack in a statement issued today, vowing “zero tolerance for violence against match officials” and announcing an expedited review. Bolívar faces potential lifetime suspension if found guilty of physical aggression under league regulations.

Despite the controversy, Ceballos was appointed to officiate the Liga Femenina semifinal between Deportivo Cali and Atlético Nacional in Palmaseca on September 3. Players and referees praised her resilience, with Atlético Nacional captain María López remarking, “Referees must be protected-they ensure fairness on the pitch.”

This incident has reignited discussion over safety protocols for referees in amateur leagues, where security measures are often minimal. Difútbol has proposed mandatory protective escorts for officials traveling to remote venues and emergency response training for match-day staff.

The national players’ union echoed these concerns today, urging clubs and regional associations to adopt comprehensive referee-protection policies ahead of the 2026 season.