Archive · 4 Sep 2025
Colombian Footballer Slaps Referee During Match, Apologizes
Imagine a football game where a player gets angry at the referee.
This happened in Colombia when a player named Javier Bolivar was given a red card.
Instead of leaving, he got close to the referee, Vanessa Ceballos, and slapped her.
Everyone was shocked, and other players had to step in.
Bolivar later said he was sorry, claiming he was trying to take the whistle, but realized his actions were wrong.
He apologized to the referee, all women, and anyone hurt by his actions.
He stated that he rejects violence and promises to do better in the future.
A player, Javier Bolivar, slapped a female referee, Vanessa Ceballos, during a football match in Colombia.
The incident occurred in the 66th minute of the match between Real Alianza Cataquera and Deportivo Quique.
Bolivar was given a red card before the incident occurred.
Bolivar initially claimed he was trying to grab the whistle from the referee's mouth.
Bolivar issued a public apology for his actions, stating he never intended any aggression.
- Who
- Javier Bolivar, a football player, and Vanessa Ceballos, the referee.
- What
- Bolivar slapped Ceballos during a match.
- When
- During a match in the 66th minute.
- Where
- Colombia.
- Why
- Unknown, but Bolivar was given a red card and reacted violently.
- Incident
- Player slapped female referee during a match.
- Teams Involved
- Real Alianza Cataquera and Deportivo Quique
- Referee
- Vanessa Ceballos
- Player
- Javier Bolivar
- Minute of Incident
- 66th minute
- Bolivar's initial claim
- Attempting to grab the whistle.