Football referee dismissed for missing a match after reportedly being 'drugged and assaulted by a hired sex worker.'

A Mexican referee has been dismissed from his position after failing to show up for a match, amid allegations that he was assaulted by a sex worker he had hired. Rosario Guadalupe Cardenas, 27, was scheduled to serve as the fourth official for a match between Monterrey and Tigres in the Apertura Tournament on October 19. On the day of the game, the Mexican refereeing commission announced that Cardenas had been replaced for "medical reasons," with Ismael Lopez stepping in as fourth official and Ximena Marquez Ruíz assigned as the VAR official.

Two days later, the commission launched an internal investigation to clarify the circumstances surrounding the incident. Former referee Francisco Chacon later claimed that Cardenas failed to attend the match because he had been drugged and assaulted by a sex worker he had hired the night before. Chacon stated, “He took her to his hotel, where he was drugged and assaulted, which is why he didn’t make it to the game. That was the ‘medical reason.’” Following the investigation, the refereeing commission announced on December 4 that Cardenas’ contract had been terminated for breaching the Arbitration Rules. Although the organization did not elaborate on the specifics, it deemed his actions as misconduct justifying dismissal.

A statement from the commission read: “The Referees Commission completed a detailed internal investigation, beginning on October 21, to clarify the incident involving referee Rosario Guadalupe Cardenas on October 19, prior to Matchday 12 of the 2024 Apertura Tournament. As a conclusion to the investigation, the commission has decided to terminate the referee’s contract for non-compliance with the Arbitration Rules.” Mexican newspaper Record reported that Cardenas was found to have violated the ethical and professional standards of the Mexican Football Federation (FMF). A source indicated that an investigation remains ongoing to confirm the reported assault by a sex worker.

The source added, “The matter was referred to the FMF’s legal department due to violations of internal regulations and the federation's ethical and professional values. Regardless, Cardenas was informed that his failure to fulfill his responsibilities due to indiscipline led to the termination of his role.”