Referee who was punched by a player during a grassroots amateur game finally hears back from police

The referee who was punched by a player in a grassroots match has finally heard back from the police following Sportsmail’s intervention.

We revealed yesterday how official Satyam Toki was still waiting to have his statement taken two weeks after the incident which left him bleeding above his left eye.

Toki rang 101 on several occasions to try and press charges against the player but felt ‘helpless’ and ignored after no action was taken.

The police are to take a statement from Satyam Toki on Wednesday after he was punched

Grassroots referee Toki was punched three times by a player after sending him off

However, in the wake of Sportsmail’s story, the Met Police contacted the referee on Tuesday, and he will now make a formal statement on Wednesday morning.

Toki said: ‘It is a relief that the police are finally going to take some action.’

The 28-year-oldi was left with excessive bleeding above his left eye after an alleged assault by a player he had just sent off. 

Toki is determined to press charges even though he claims his attacker – a teacher – has been privately messaging him to offer him money to cover his time off work.

Since footage of the attack went viral earlier this month, Toki has received support from other referees in the game, including Sportsmail columnist Mark Clattenburg, who called for the player to be criminally charged.

Sportsmail contacted the Met on Monday to ask why there had been a delay following the incident on August 9 and in a statement they said: ‘The victim subsequently contacted police on August 21 and confirmed he wished police to pursue the matter — an investigation is ongoing.’

Toki (pictured) was assaulted during a pre-season match and suffered a cut above his eye

The player, who will remain unnamed, did not respond to Sportsmail’s request for comment. 

Sportsmail has been shown screenshots of the texts Toki said he was sent by the player, who was playing for Sporting Club de Mundial, a Hackney Sunday League side formed by football magazine Mundial.

Toki, who is paid only £40 a match, previously said he is still having ‘a little bit of pain’ and is unsure whether he will referee again.