A high school soccer playoff between Steubenville and New Philadelphia turned violent on Tuesday when a Steubenville player ran toward a game official late in the match and knocked him to the ground, leaving the referee hospitalized with broken ribs and a collapsed lung. The player was ejected, and Steubenville City Schools said disciplinary action had already been taken, while the Ohio High School Athletic Association was waiting to learn what the school had done before deciding whether to impose additional penalties.
The chaos unfolded in the final minutes of the OHSAA boys soccer playoff game in Ohio, according to The Columbus Dispatch. With about 5 minutes and 40 seconds left on the clock, Steubenville took a corner kick that led to a collision leaving a Steubenville player on the ground. Moments later, a collision with New Philadelphia's goalkeeper resulted in a foul call. A Steubenville player then ran in the direction of a game official and knocked him to the ground, according to WTOV9. The player was ejected from the game.
Referee Hospitalized, Now Improving
The referee was treated at a hospital for broken ribs and a collapsed lung, according to MLive. By Thursday, an OHSAA spokesperson told the outlet that the official's condition is improving. Video of the collision circulated widely on social media on Wednesday, the Morning Journal reported, drawing attention to safety concerns.
The final score itself has become a point of confusion in the aftermath. The Columbus Dispatch and MLive both reported that New Philadelphia won 2-1, advancing to the district championship.
School Imposes Discipline, Won't Say What
Steubenville City Schools confirmed that disciplinary action was taken against the player following an internal review, but the district has declined to specify the measures, citing student privacy laws. In its statement, the district said, “Following the review, disciplinary action was imposed. Consistent with student privacy laws, the district cannot comment on the specific disciplinary measures taken,” per WTOV9. The district added that it worked collaboratively with the Ohio High School Athletic Association to review the matter and said it remains committed to maintaining high standards of sportsmanship, respect and safety at all athletic contests.
OHSAA Director of Communications Tim Stried said the school has indicated that punishment will be significant, which the OHSAA agrees with, per WTOV9's reporting. The governing body has said it will decide on further discipline after finding out what disciplinary action is taken by the school first, according to the Morning Journal. Earlier in the process, OHSAA had been in communication with the school about the incident as it gathered facts, and the organization has said it will pursue the matter to the fullest extent possible.
'Among The Most Serious Offenses'
OHSAA considers physical violence against an official among the most serious offenses a coach, player, or fan can commit, a stance that underscores why both the school and the association have signaled significant consequences are expected. The episode has also drawn attention to officials’ safety in Ohio high school sports, underscored by the severity of the referee's injuries.
