DR Congo star Ruth Kipoyi has angered football fans after she punched a Morocco player in the face.
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The incident occurred during DR Congo's friendly with Morocco on on Monday 3 June.
With the score poised at 2-1 in the Moroccans favour, the 26-year-old recieved a red card for an aggressive challenge.
This enraged several opposition players enough to get involved causing a melee between the two teams.
Yasmine Mrabet decided to try and calm Kipoyi down, but, the attacker who plays for Galatasaray, unleashed a left hook to her jaw which sent her to the turf.
A video of the incident has been doing the rounds on social media, and fans are furious with Kipoyi.
Some people are calling for serious punishment, with one X (formerly Twitter) user saying: 'Should be prison time for assault.'
Another fan did not feel as strongly, but still didn't hide their anger: 'Not a lifetime ban but definitely a lengthy one. Along with a hefty fine'
Morocco went on to win the match 3-2, and following the final whistle, Mrabet, the player punched by Kipoyi, released a statement via Instagram, in regard to the incident.
She said: 'This violent behaviour should not be accepted. During competition, disagreements can occur, tensions are bound to build, but there are lines which must never be crossed...
'This incident should not overshadow the exponential growth of our football in the last couple of years. African teams are showing up on the world stage, and for a reason.
'The appropriate procedures are underway to report the past events and from now on I'm only looking forward.'
Vanclmrty
512
Please forgive Congo, it's still developing. Look at what James's sister did in England. What's wrong with Congolese girls??🤔🤔
kenabceorz
491
In as much as she was wrong, the other two ladies that pushed her were also offensive and wrong. she decided to do what we call self defense. She was already red carded so why again the other two ladies took law into their hands. So therefore, the other two ladies also deserve punishment.
TheOddOne
466
might as well kill those players since there is no punishment for punching
Ladeilostu
370
the lady that get punch deserve
Nisbcklnp
338
You Are A BIG FOOL🤧🤮💔🤦♂️
Look at this Moroccan clown. Royal Air MARO let me give you typical examples of Moroccans disrespectful behavior if anyone here has ever flown with the Moroccan Airline called Royal Air MAROC you will know how bad these motha-fk are they don’t care about people from West Africa at all.
31443336(deleted)
283
I think players must be allowed to punch when someone says foolish staff to him/her.[Hitface]
kekeilrsuz
277
Vodabknyz
255
They provoked her with those pushes, they deserve more punches
Lowaelprty
190
Anyone blaming that Congolese player and calling Africans names is crazy. It recently happened in Turkey or not? players can sometimes lose their tempers, especially women. Women sometimes spill the beans when they are angry because they can’t control their angers. I do not support violence in our sport, but as humans, it can happen. In Asia, it is a daily occurrence.
VIKINGSB
139
This is uncall for! As a footballer, there're actions you don't take on the pitch no matter how angry you are. She needs to be punish, or she might eventually kill someone on the pitch someday. This is FOOTBALL not BOXING.
kahacdouyz
75
Uncivilized Africa. Unfortunate.
you're stupid in your ass..Zidane headbutted an Italian player..