High school footballers facing life bans for brutal referee attack

Two high school students in America are facing life bans from football after a pre-meditated attack on a referee.

The teenagers were representing John Jay High School in a match against Marble Falls High School when they targeted the official from behind.Video showed the referee watching the play and his head snapping back when he is leveled in a brutal hit from one of the players. The other footballer then dives on top of him.It is believed the pair was attempting to exact revenge after two of their teammates were earlier ejected from the game.The ugly incident drew condemnation from all quarters of football and has since resulted in the players suspensions."I've coached 14 years, and I've never seen anything like it,'' Marbles coach Matt Green said.The body that represents the referee has refused to release the official's name, but said he was "very upset" and is considering pressing charges.It is also seeking life bans for the teens."The first thing we want is that those two kids never play football again," said Austin Football Officials Association secretary Wayne Elliott.The footballers have also been suspended from their school, which lost the match 15-9.