Soccer player charged with attempted murder for kicking ref in the head

A Brazilian soccer player is facing attempted murder charges for allegedly kicking a referee in the head during a game.

William Ribeiro, 29, is seen on shocking video kicking referee Rodrigo Crivellaro twice after losing his cool during a match Monday between Ribeiro’s Sao Paulo Rio Grande do Sul and rival home team Guarani de Venancio Aires.

Crivellaro was knocked unconscious.

“I don’t really remember,” Crivellaro, who was treated and released from a local hospital the following day, told a local station, CNN said.

“My referee colleagues told me that I gave him a yellow card,” he said. “He punched me in the face. I fell to the ground, got kicked, and passed out. This player needs treatment because he is totally out of control. He deserves to be arrested for a long time.”

Authorities said Ribeiro was arrested and released Tuesday — and booted from the team.

Rio Grande do Sul said in a statement after the game Monday that it was “deeply ashamed” over the incident and had cut ties with Ribeiro.

“The aggressor athlete’s contract is summarily terminated,” the team said in a statement, according to CNN. “Furthermore, all possible and legal measures in relation to the fact will be taken.”

With Post wires