(Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune) Johana Portillo, left, and her sister Ana Portillo talk about their father, Ricardo Portillo, during a news conference at Intermountain Medical Center in Murray Thursday, May 2, 2013. Portillo died Saturday night, May 4.
The family of the Utah soccer referee who died Saturday after being punched in the head by a player said they want to make sure that his life continues to bless others.
Family members decided to donate 46-year-old Ricardo Portillo’s organs, something Portillo would have wanted, said his daughter, Johana Portillo on Sunday.
"We had to do something good," Johana Portillo said. "I’m peaceful right now. He’s going to help other people."
Ricardo Portillo was removed from life support Saturday and died at 9:33 p.m. at Intermountain Medical Center in Murray, after spending nearly a week in a coma.
"He’s in God’s hands right now," Johana Portillo said.
She said her father’s body would be returned to Mexico for burial, as per his final wish.
The 17-year-old boy accused of punching Portillo remained in juvenile custody Sunday. The boy’s identity has not been released and no charges have been filed in connection with the incident.
According to a police report, the assault on the amateur referee took place April 27 at a recreational youth match at Eisenhower Junior High School in Taylorsville. As players jostled for position, Portillo saw the goalkeeper push an opponent with his hands.
Portillo displayed his "yellow card," issuing a warning to the 17-year-old goalkeeper. The referee then began writing the infraction in his official’s notebook.
According to the police report, Portillo probably never saw the blow coming — a powerful punch to the head. Police arrested the player two days after the incident.
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Witnesses told police the teenage goalie was playing in his first game for the La Liga Continental de Futbol squad.
La Liga Continental de Fútbol, an indoor soccer league where Portillo served as a referee, cancelled its scheduled games Sunday in light of the announcement.
Mario Vazquez, head of the league, said in an interview Sunday that he met briefly with team members to discuss Portillo’s death.
"We prayed for him and spread the word," Vazquez said.
Officials with Real Salt Lake, Utah’s professional soccer team, tweeted condolences Sunday.
"Cannot comprehend the actions that led to loss of an amateur referee’s life," the organization wrote on its Twitter account.
[email protected]
Twitter @sltribjanelle
Copyright 2013 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
The family of the Utah soccer referee who died Saturday after being punched in the head by a player said they want to make sure that his life continues to bless others.
Family members decided to donate 46-year-old Ricardo Portillo’s organs, something Portillo would have wanted, said his daughter, Johana Portillo on Sunday.
"We had to do something good," Johana Portillo said. "I’m peaceful right now. He’s going to help other people."
Ricardo Portillo was removed from life support Saturday and died at 9:33 p.m. at Intermountain Medical Center in Murray, after spending nearly a week in a coma.
"He’s in God’s hands right now," Johana Portillo said.
She said her father’s body would be returned to Mexico for burial, as per his final wish.
The 17-year-old boy accused of punching Portillo remained in juvenile custody Sunday. The boy’s identity has not been released and no charges have been filed in connection with the incident.
According to a police report, the assault on the amateur referee took place April 27 at a recreational youth match at Eisenhower Junior High School in Taylorsville. As players jostled for position, Portillo saw the goalkeeper push an opponent with his hands.
Portillo displayed his "yellow card," issuing a warning to the 17-year-old goalkeeper. The referee then began writing the infraction in his official’s notebook.
According to the police report, Portillo probably never saw the blow coming — a powerful punch to the head. Police arrested the player two days after the incident.
story continues below
Witnesses told police the teenage goalie was playing in his first game for the La Liga Continental de Futbol squad.
La Liga Continental de Fútbol, an indoor soccer league where Portillo served as a referee, cancelled its scheduled games Sunday in light of the announcement.
Mario Vazquez, head of the league, said in an interview Sunday that he met briefly with team members to discuss Portillo’s death.
"We prayed for him and spread the word," Vazquez said.
Officials with Real Salt Lake, Utah’s professional soccer team, tweeted condolences Sunday.
"Cannot comprehend the actions that led to loss of an amateur referee’s life," the organization wrote on its Twitter account.
[email protected]
Twitter @sltribjanelle
Copyright 2013 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.