La Liga assistant referee left bloodied and requiring hospital treatment after colliding with TV camera during Real Betis clash with Athletic Club

Female official Guadalupe Porras was the unfortunate linesperson in question as she took up a position on the touchline at Benito Villamarin Stadium. She was involved in proceedings for just 13 minutes before having to be escorted to hospital.

Porras was heading back towards the halfway line after helping to confirm Chimy Avila’s opening goal for Betis. She never made it that far as medical staff rushed to her aid with a stretcher and moved her into a nearby ambulance.

Porras is reported to have collided with a DAZN 4K television camera operator who was looking to film close-ups of the goal celebrations. She was left sporting a nasty cut above her eye and was replaced on the sidelines by fourth official Holgueras Castellanos following a lengthy delay to proceedings.

Questions are now being asked of whether cameras need to get so close to the action, with former La Liga referee Eduardo Iturralde Gonzalez telling Cadena SER: “Message to Javier Tebas [Liga president] - the camera goes where it shouldn't go. Please let them work, the assistant referee is as professional as a player.”

Betis won the game in question 3-1, with Yuri Berchiche registering an own goal in the 38th minute before USMNT star Johnny Cardoso wrapped up the points with 67 minutes on the clock. It remains to be seen when Porras will be cleared to pick up a flag again.