Hailey police are seeking an arrest warrant for a goalkeeper who allegedly battered a referee during a soccer game Saturday.
Hailey police chief Jeff Gunter declined to identify the suspect until the warrant is served, but described the man as a 27-year-old goalkeeper from Caldwell, who plays for a Blaine County team called San Lorenzo.
The incident allegedly occurred Saturday afternoon at a Wood River High School soccer field in a match-up between San Lorenzo and a team from Pocatello. The game was part of the Ketchum Classic annual men's soccer tournament.
Gunter said the San Lorenzo goalkeeper is accused of grabbing a referee, spitting in his ear and shoving him. The police chief said the alleged battery occurred after the referee kicked the San Lorenzo goalkeeper out of the game for kicking a Pocatello player and throwing a soccer ball at him.
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Police were notified of the incident by the referee, identified as Carmen Poling, no age or address available.
Gunter said the goalkeeper is expected to be charged with misdemeanor battery.
"We will be getting a warrant for the suspect," Gunter said. "We know who he is."
Terry Smith: tsmith@mtexpress.com