College Soccer Player Arrested After Battering Referee

Following his club's loss to UC Davis over the weekend, UC Santa Barbara Gauchos defender Peter McGlynn charged in and allegedly struck referee Reed Christy. McGlynn had previously been ejected from the contest after receiving a yellow, then red card in overtime. After the incident, McGlynn was restrained by campus security, handcuffed and detained by University of California police before being released on his own recognizance. Police are recommending charges be filed. Originally recruited from Ireland, McGlynn has subsequently been kicked off the UCSB soccer team.

California is one of 21 states with officiating assault and/or battery laws (19 criminal + 2 civil). The full list of states with enhanced penalties for this crime is: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Montana, North Carolina, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas and West Virginia. Visit naso.org for more information.

Under California Penal Code section 243.8, battery on a sports official may result in one year's imprisonment in the county jail and/or a $2,000 fine. This maximum penalty is twice as severe as "simple" battery.

News: UCSB Soccer Player Assaults Official After Loss