Soccer player, 29, ‘beaten to death over referee call’

A 29-year-old soccer player has died two weeks after being beaten by players and fans during a match over an apparent disagreement on a referee call.

Misael Sanchez of Port Hueneme, California, was injured ‘after he was involved in a large soccer fight that included players from both teams and spectators’ at the Oxnard High School soccer field, police stated.

During the 11am brawl on July 10, multiple people attacked Sanchez and he was found not breathing and unresponsive by first responders. He was transported in critical condition to Ventura County Medical Center.

Sanchez died on Monday. His cause of death has not yet been determined.

It was not immediately known whether the injuries Sanchez sustained during the melee caused him to become unconscious. He had no obvious wounds on his body, police Cmdr Alex Arnett told NBC News on Tuesday.

The county medical examiner’s office was scheduled to perform his autopsy on Tuesday.

Berlin Jose Melgara, 46, has been arrested and charged with felony battery in connection to the deadly beating, police said. However, authorities believe more people had a hand in Sanchez’s death.

A GoFundMe page for Sanchez’s funeral expenses by his family states, ‘It is with a heavy heart to share the passing of our beloved son, Misael Sanchez.’

‘My family is heartbroken and still in disbelief, as we expected a bright future for him,’ wrote the Sanchez family.

‘We were not ready for this type of goodbye. At this time, we are asking for your prayers, and if you can contribute financially, it will be greatly appreciated.’

Investigators are ‘still searching for witnesses or anyone who might have video recorded all or part of the fight’, cops said.