Referee knees player in the groin during game in Mexico

An investigation is now taking place

Leon midfielder Lucas Romero, alongside his teammates, appealed to the referee to get VAR to look at the goal Club America had scored against them during a Liga MX match.

Fernando Hernandez, who had booked a member of the Leon squad, then appeared to raise his knee into the groin of Romero - who fell to the ground - as he protested the decision.

Despite being on the end of the challenge, Romero has called for the official to avoid punishment.

"Obviously [referees] are human beings, many times they can make mistakes and those mistakes end up developing what happened, a lot of misunderstandings," he told TUDN.

"I'm not asking for anything [any form of punishment], he told me it was unintentional. 

"But just that they also respect us as we respect them on the pitch because they are the authority."

The Mexican Football Federation released a statement after the game to confirm that they had launched an investigation.

It said: "The Referees Commission informs that an investigation process will be opened into the events that occurred with the referee Fernando Hernández in the América vs. León [match], corresponding to Matchday 13 of the Liga MX.

"The resolution will be released to public opinion."

If found guilty, Hernandez could face a fine and a suspension lasting anywhere between one to 15 league games.

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