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Cuban May Face Ban for Kicking Ref

Taekwondo association apologizes for kick

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 23, 2008 5:19 PM CDT

(Newser) – Cuban martial artist Angel Matos may be banned from taekwondo for life after deliberately kicking a referee in the face, the AP reports. Matos was winning his bronze-medal match in Beijing when he was disqualified for taking too long a break after a hit. He angrily questioned the call, pushed a judge, and kicked a Swedish referee. The World Taekwondo Federation may also ban his coach, who was unapologetic about the incident.

[Images (3)]

[Videos (1)]

[Quotes (1)]

Cuba's Angel Valodia Matos, left, kicks match referee Sweden's Chakir Chelbat in the face during a bronze medal match at the Beijing 2008 Olympics , Aug. 23, 2008. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

Cuba's Angel Valodia Matos, right, is held back by his coach Leudis Gonzales after Matos kicked the match referee Chakir Chelbat at the end of his bronze medal match. (AP Photo/David Guttenfelder)

Cuba's Angel Valodia Matos, left, kicks match referee Sweden's Chakir Chelbat in the face during a bronze medal match in Beijing. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

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Cuban taekwondo Angel Matos kicks a referee in face. (philmontdude)

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We didn't expect anything like what you have witnessed to occur. I am at a loss for words.
- Yang Jin-suk, secretary general for the World Taekwondo Federation

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Cuban May Face Ban for Kicking Ref