A Whistle, a Punch, and a Soccer Referee Is Dead

Ricardo Portillo Update: Utah Teen Accused Of Killing Soccer Ref In Court

SALT LAKE CITY — A teenager charged with killing a Utah soccer referee because he didn't like the man's call during a game pleaded guilty Monday to a charge of homicide by assault in a case that brought new attention to the issue of violence and sportsmanship in athletics.

The plea deal was hashed out between the teen's attorneys and prosecutors as the judge planned to hear testimony to decide if the 17-year-old suspect would be tried in juvenile or adult court. Under the deal, prosecutors agreed to keep the case in juvenile court. ...

See the whole article here, courtesy of the HuffPo.

Kicking Back Comments: The title comes from the NYT article of same fame that can be found here. It was the best way I could think of to focus the mind on what happened here.

Here is another, this admitted murderers sentence is a maximum of just over 3 years.

Focused yet?

Biggest loser in this case is the Portillio family, who lost a husband and father. (see here for video)

Biggest chicken $h*t in this case is Patricia Cassell, ADA for Salt Lake County, on two levels.

First, is having the gall to say the plea deal struck is fair. Fair to who Patty? To the 17 year and 9 month old who killed an innocent man? Fair to the DA's office who took the easy way out and got a plea? Fair to the Portillio family somehow to (in my own words) "end their suffering?"

Second, is the DA's office going back on their statement they were going to have this admitted murderer tried as an adult. They took the easy way out and got the "quick win." Gotta make those numbers look good .. getting ready for the bench and all following in her husbands footsteps. Right?

Who really knows. Plea deals happen every day, all the time. Lets not forget however, it is a quid pro quo. In exchange for his guilty plea, the murderer has received only 3 years maximum. Granted the sentencing guidelines would call for only another 2 if tried as an adult, but for my money Patty, do the leg work, and get the additional 2 years. But it's so expensive to have a trial you say, tax payer dollars and all ... well then have the guts to say that to the press and Mr. Portillio's family when asked why juvenile court was the venue. Don't just shrug and say "... it would have only been another two years ..."

What amazing empathy from the ADA to the Portillio family.

Now I'll go out of my way to say that there is nothing improprietous on its face that seems to be going on here, it is however a stunning reversal for the DA for a serious crime.

Maybe I'm tainted because I expect the DA to prosecute the crime to the full extent of the law without short changing the investigative process in actually getting the necessary evidence to punish this person for what he did.

Maybe I am just so taken with the story of Matthew Cordle who killed a man, yet had the courage to admit what he did, even before he was charged, and accept his punishment for it. Punishment he deserves for killing a man.

No such honor in this case, from the criminal, or those who were responsible for prosecuting the crime.

There is one loose end however ... does US Soccer know, and is this killer now on a "no fly list" with them? I would hope a proactive lifetime ban is now in effect for this individual.

If not, shame on US Soccer.

Another youth soccer player commits homicide on a referee

Back in December of 2012, Richard Nieuwenhuizen was a volunteer linesman for his son's match in the Netherlands when he was beaten to death by a group of 16 year old thugs at the conclusion of the match.

I gave my opinion here in how these criminals should be treated.

For Richard, there were moments of silence, tears, armbands, and platitudes from FIFA on respect.

It has now happened again, where a U-18 thug from Utah has caused the death of Utah soccer referee Ricardo Portillo by reportedly punching him in the head and neck area. One account of the incident and detail about the Mr. Portillo can be found here, courtesy of CBS. Take a look at the video, it is well worth it.

My question here is not what should happen to this animal who (in the daughter's account) sucker punched Portillo. My question is ... to what limit should the referee go to defend themselves?

Assuming the referee was able to see the strike coming, can they strike first? Should they strike first if they feel they are in imminent mortal danger?

Should it make a difference (as in the 2 cases here) they are youth players? Is there any less danger here?

Here is where folks in the international and professional levels are spoiled, as generally speaking, everyone know they have to get up for "work" the next morning, even if that work is playing soccer. That alone, keeps these surreal things from happening, as well as strong measures from the respective leagues in what would happen should these players batter a referee.

Amateur leagues, youth inclusive, are another matter completely, and are akin to the wild wild west at times. I have been lucky in my career and only hit or spit on a few times by players. While I have been lucky to have others, and generally sympathetic players, come to my aide, if that was not the case, what do you do?

The title "Could This Happen to You?", from the other day was no accident. It is something visceral we as referees need to prepare for.

This could happen to you ... How are you preparing ... and what would you do?

Please also see Paul Levys' piece, In memoriam: Ricardo Portillo, who gives a far more eloquent analysis. I'll be honest, I am just livid and so disheartened at the loss of life over a youth soccer game. While I am clearly not espousing violence of any kind, I do believe that this scenario is one referees must consider.