Moment female referee is concussed after being knocked over in men's game brawl

A female referee reportedly suffered a concussion after being knocked to the ground while splitting up squabbling players.

Mathilde Demoncay ended up becoming collateral damage after attempting to intervene in the fracas which unfolded on the pitch at the Schlossberg Stadium in Forbach, France, on Saturday (25 July).

Footage shows how the 26-year-old being bowled over by players from French club Metz and Dutch team Fortuna Sittard as she tried to split up the warring sides.

Demoncay was overseeing the preseason friendly between the two teams over the weekend when tempers flared in the 40th minute of the football match.

The whistle was blown after a Metz ace appeared to tug on the shirt of Fortuna Sittard striker Lequincio Zeefuik, according to ESPN.

This incident was the catalyst for a heated melee that erupted during the friendly and video circulating online shows how several players rushed over and became involved in the confrontation.

Demoncay also approached the mob of men and attempted to diffuse it as they were seen pushing and shoving one another.

But she ended up being toppled by the players as she tried to restore calm on the pitch, seeing her writhe around the ground after she hit the deck.

Ironically, this incident all unfolded in front of a large sign which said: "Respect the referee."

Medical staff ran onto the pitch to tend to Demoncay, who remained on the ground for several minutes while she was assessed. Reports claim that she suffered a concussion.

The NHS explains that this is a type of brain injury which often occurs after a 'head injury or a forceful knock to the body'.

It can cause you to lose consciousness, be confused, struggle to balance, act out of character or struggle to remember events, as well as physical symptoms such as a headache, dizziness, nausea, or vision problems.

Despite being sent flying, Demoncay dusted herself off and acted as assistant referee for the remainder of the first half. She then handed the baton to another official at half-time.

Fortuna Sittard lost the friendly 3-1 and described the incident as a 'remarkable moment' in the match report on ⁠the team's website, although Metz did not reference it.

RL Sports journalist Angelo Salemi shared a post on X detailing 'some clarifications on the scuffle' which unfolded between Metz and Forutna Sittard players.

"The referee, Mathilde Demoncay, wanted to separate them but she was inadvertently jostled in the fight," he wrote. "She hurt her head (concussion) when she fell to the ground and gave up her position at half time.

"She's doing better; the players have apologized to her, and FC Metz gave her a jersey.

"It should be noted that a district referee who was present at the match as a spectator took on the role of assistant during the second half."

Footage of Demoncay's fall has been circulating on social media and football fans praised her professionalism.

One person said in a post on X: "Frankly, this lady is courageous; plenty of male referees step aside when there's chaos and a fight."

Another pointed out: "The 'respect the referee' displayed in big letters..."