Swedish third division defender Casper Gillberg has been banned for more than a year for intentionally obstructing a referee.
The Hockeyettan district announced on Tuesday that the skater from Vita Hästen’s training will not be able to put his skates back on until December 31, 2024.
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Three days earlier, Gillberg intentionally controlled a referee during a game. The officer broke his arm during the scene.
Hockeyettan decision-makers said in their report that the 22-year-old “showed complete indifference to the referee’s safety when he chose to attack him with reckless violence.”
They also took into account that Gillberg is a repeat offender, having served a six-week suspension last season.
After the meeting at which he committed his crime, the security guard claimed that the contact was accidental. However, he did not forget to mention in the same breath that the referee was an obstacle throughout the evening.
“It’s the series finale and everyone is excited to be here, especially me,” he said. I like to play physically. As was the case throughout the confrontation, the referee was in the way. I had to stop their player and the official was there. He received the check even though that was obviously not my intention.”
Gillberg recanted the next day, saying he now “deeply regrets” his actions and is ashamed of them.