Indonesian Player Banned for Life for Punching Ref

An Indonesian player who punched a referee in the face has been banned for life by the country's football authority.

Pieter Rumaropen, a striker for Papua province club Persiwa Wamena, punched referee Muhaimin in the face after he awarded a penalty to Pelita Bandung Raya during a Super League match on Sunday in West Java's capital Bandung.

Muhaimin was taken to hospital where he received four stitches.

Hinca Panjaitan, a member of the disciplinary commission of Indonesia's Football Association, PSSI, said Rumaropen's behavior damaged the image of the country's football.

In 2008, PSSI imposed life bans on four players for beating up a referee and his assistants.