Sacramento man arraigned for allegedly tackling youth soccer referee in Roseville

Vicente Robles, 34, of Sacramento was arraigned Wednesday morning for allegedly knocking a soccer referee to the ground during a game in October. The incident gained attention after a video circulated online.

Robles’ attorney pleaded not guilty on his behalf to the charge of battery against a sports official, which is a misdemeanor violation, the Placer County District Attorney’s Office said.

The district attorney’s office filed criminal charges against Robles Nov. 22 after Roseville Police investigated an incident in which he allegedly tackled a referee at Festersen Park on Oct. 30.

In a video obtained by KCRA, a man in a black sweatshirt, allegedly Robles, can be seen running toward a referee during the game, running into him and knocking him to the ground. The referee is blindsided by the man. As others on the field rush to his aid, the referee gets up and walks away from the man.

Roseville Police investigated the incident and forwarded the crime report to prosecutors Nov. 17.

The case was continued Wednesday for an early settlement conference to be heard on Jan. 25, 2022 at 8:30 a.m. in Department 31.

This story was originally published December 8, 2021 at 6:40 PM.