Footballer rushed to hospital and opponent arrested as shock ‘out of the blue’ attack sees match abandoned

AN amateur player was taken to hospital and an opponent arrested after an alleged attack during a women’s football match.

The 24-year-old was injured as she played for Goytre Women’s FC last Sunday afternoon against home team Tonyrefail Welfare Ladies.

Officials abandoned the game after the incident.

South Wales Police confirmed a 25-year-old woman from Tonyrefail was arrested on suspicion of assault and is on bail pending further inquiries.

The injured woman is from Newport.

Goytre Women’s FC tweeted: “Everyone at the club is appalled at the violent assault inflicted on one of our players yesterday which saw the game abandoned, our player hospitalised and the attacker arrested.

"If anyone is able to provide a witness statement or video footage to help with the police investigation please get in contact with us.

"Our thoughts and well wishes are with our player and her family & friends as she begins her recovery.

"We'd also like to thank the paramedics and staff at the @CwmTafMorgannwg Royal Glamorgan Hospital for taking care and treating our player for her injuries and @swpolice for responding so quickly to events yesterday and we await the results of their investigation."

Goytre FC club secretary Simon Ritter said the player was attacked suddenly about an hour into the game when the team was winning 6-0.

Ritter added that she is now recovering at home after getting a scan at the hospital.

He said: "I've been involved in football for 20 years and never heard of anything like this before.

"The assault came out of the blue."