Union Espanola goalkeeper Ignacio Gonzalez faces a possible 50 game ban for punching referee Enrique Osses during a game in the Chilean championship at the weekend.
The 33-year old goalkeeper could also face a criminal charge in a crackdown in Chile on violence at footbal games. Following an interview at the public prosecutor's office in San Felipe where Gonzales was in custody for two hours, it has emerged he could face a sentence of up to three years for the offence.
Speaking about the incident Gonzales said: "When I was walking back to the dressing room, I realised what I had done.
"Of course, I regretted it and I telephoned the referee to apologise.
"Unfortunately, it was the answerphone but I left a message."
He added: "Personally, I had a bad week and it all came out on the pitch. But I'm not using this to justify my behaviour. I'm not afraid to face the punishment which is coming my way."
Gonzalez, 33, joined Union Espanola at the start of this year. He has previously played for Racing Club, Newell's Old Boys, Nueva Chicago and Estudiantes in his homeland,
Osses, a FIFA referee, is known as one of the toughest in
In addition to Gonzalez, he sent off two more players in Sunday's game and last month dismissed five players during a stormy
Violence is a problem in games across the world, with several sendings off in the Premiership in England alone last weekend, many for raised arms and potentially violent conduct.
Yet players guilty of landing a punch here are punished with a three game ban and may be fined by club and the FA.
If I was to punch you in the middle of the street, I could be arrested and sent to prison for a period of time, however, if I lamped you one in the centre circle at Old Trafford I'd be fine?
Let's get serious here. It is still a criminal offence! Just because you are in a football stadium does not mean that you are above the law. While stadiums are sacred to their fans, you can be arrested whether you are a fan, player, staff, whoever.
Just this weekend Swansea City goalkeeper Willy Gueret was arrested, handcuffed and marched away on a "public order offence". After paying a fine of £80 he was released.
How many police officers would run on to the field to arrest a high-profile world class player if they assault someone? Not many! Even after players are sent off for assaulting another player they are left to cool off in the changing room, when really they should be down the police station having the book thrown at them.
Footballers these days are paid too much in my opinion, in fact, in everyone's opinion. They do not deserve to be paid that much, to have the lavish lifestyles they do.
Compare them to professional rugby players who are paid on average £60,000 a year in the Zurich Premiership. Many Premiership players in football are on more than that per week, after tax, which is absurd.
Money is not everything and cannot protect you if you physically assault someone on a football field.
The Chileans, in my opinion, have the right idea. A major ban for the offence to stop a player playing football for a considerable period and also incarceration to teach them a lesson - naturally the ban from football would only come into effect when the player is available to play and not imprisoned.
Stop violence in football! It is unattractive, adds nothing to the game and is a bad example to our youngsters who look up to their favourite players as role models for how they should behave.