Teenage football ref loses spleen after brutal attack by police officer in front of his parents

PARENTS of a 17-year-old football referee who had to have his spleen removed after being beaten up by a police officer have confirmed their son's version of events.
Héctor G.T. (pictured) was refereeing at the second-division regional match between Los Silos and Mislata B-teams on Sunday in Burjassot (Valencia), when a player of the away team, Alberto M. M., 27, called him 'subnormal' and began to kick him brutally.
The accused was an off-duty National Police officer, who has been suspended from his duties pending the outcome of the case.
Witnesses say it was the 89th minute of the match with a score of 2-2, when Héctor blew the whistle and awarded a foul in favour of the home team.
This attracted abusive comments from Alberto M. M., who was given a red card and sent off.
He then began to insult and repeatedly kick the referee, although some witnesses say he only kicked him once, in the ribs.
Héctor's dad started to run to his side to intervene in the fight, but the youngster was heard to say, “dad, leave him, we'll report him.”
The attack was witnessed by Héctor's parents, José and Vicenta, and his 11-year-old brother Joel.
Various fans and players from both sides managed to pin down the attacker before he could do any further damage, and Héctor got up and walked away, but later complained of feeling sick and dizzy and passed out.
He was rushed to Arnau Hospital in nearby Vilanova, where he underwent emergency surgery after vomiting blood.
Having lost two litres of blood, his life would have been in serious danger if the hospital had been much further away.
In the end, it was found he had a ruptured spleen, which had to be removed.
A disillusioned Héctor says he is going to give up being a referee after this incident, despite having been one for three years and his friends trying to convince him to carry on. 
Valencia FC players were due to visit him in hospital, but at the time of their planned trip Héctor had to have a blood transfusion and could not see anyone.
Levante UD has promised to wear slogans on their football shirts in support of Héctor when they play Osasuna in an upcoming match.
Both the home and away teams involved on Sunday say they are 'sickened' by the attack, especially as 'the referee is only a child – he has a little boy's face'.