Bolivian player banned one year for flying karate kick

Bolivia: A Bolivian footballer has been banned for one year for assaulting an opponent with a flying karate kick after both players had been sent off.

Blooming defender Sergio Jauregui was suspended at a meeting of the Bolivian league`s disciplinary tribunal following the incident in the derby against Oriente Petrolero on Aug. 23, local media said. The astonishing attack, featured on video clips posted on various websites, left Oriente forward Leonardo Medina needing hospital treatment and put him out of action for two weeks. Television pictures showed the trouble started during an Oriente Petrolero attack on goal with Medina`s elbow appearing to catch Jauregui, who ended up in the back of the net. The furious Jauregui then rushed 20 metres and pushed Medina to the ground. Both men were sent off.Pictures showed that as Medina was entering the inflatable tunnel behind the goal, Jauregui attacked him with a flying karate kick. Medina was struck feet first high on the chest and collapsed while furious Oriente players and substitutes surrounded Jauregui. Jauregui, who played for Bolivia during the 2006 World Cup qualifying competition, later visited Medina in hospital and apologised. He also offered to pay the Uruguayan player`s medical expenses, local media said. Bureau Report