Injured referee’s message to attackers: ‘I forgive you and hold no grudge’

The referee who suffered extensive facial injuries following a violent assault at a football match said he would like to see the day when referees can go onto a football pitch and “feel safe”.

Daniel Sweeney, a father of two who sustained a broken jaw and an eye-socket injury when a row broke out towards the end of a match in the midlands, told RTÉ News: “I would like to see the day when a referee can go on to a football field and feel safe and be safe.”