Charges pending after hockey player punches referee

CANONSBURG, Pa. (KDKA) — A Pittsburgh-area hockey player was caught on camera punching a referee.

During an adult league game on Wednesday night, two players from opposing teams got into a fight. The referee tried to break it up and one of those players punched the referee, knocking him to the ground.

The fight broke out around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday during a game at Printscape Arena in Southpointe. The fight, captured on LiveBarn, shows Jaris Harbieh and another player having words. A referee skates and tries to separate the two when Harbieh punches him in the face.

The referee was knocked to the ground and a fight broke out between the teams. When the dust settled, the referee did not consult a doctor.

Cecil Township Police said the match was stopped and Harbieh, 23, was taken out of the arena in handcuffs. Harbieh was also suspended from the game.

The arena manager said he was also conducting his own investigation.

Charges are pending against Harbieh. They include common assault, disorderly conduct and harassment.