A football match in Whangārei had to be abandoned in the last quarter after a player on the sideline was 'blindsided' with a punch that broke his jaw.
Northern Wairoa player Santiago Cobus, of Uruguay, had his jaw broken in at least three places after he was allegedly punched by a Tikipunga player while sitting on the substitutes' bench.
The one-punch incident was alleged to have happened in the 76th minute of the division one match between Northern Wairoa and Tikipunga at Tikipunga Sports Park on Saturday afternoon.
The visiting team has filed a conduct report with the Northland Football Federation.
Chris Mason, committee member of Northern Wairoa Football Club, said everyone was at a loss as to why a Tikipunga player would punch Cobus.