A Utah teen has been charged with homicide by assault after attacking a referee caused unintentional death. Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill announced the charges. The 17-year old teen will be viewed as an adult in the case. In Utah, a minor that is over the age of 14 can be tried as an adult.

The homicide by assault charge is less serious than a charge of manslaughter. It can carry up to five years in prison for adults, but less than that for someone considered a juvenile. The teen has been in a juvenile detention facility since late April when the original incident occurred in a Salt Lake suburb. Set to turn 18 in October, the teen could be held in detention until he turns 21 if the case remains in juvenile court.

Authorities report that the teen was playing goalie when the referee, Ricardo Portillo, called a penalty on him for pushing a player of the opposing team. The teen then began to argue with Portillo before punching him in the head. The referee was taken to the hospital in what was deemed fair condition despite spitting up a small amount of blood. However, hours later his brain began to swell and he went into a coma and never regained consciousness. He passed away on Saturday after being taken off life support.

The attack occurred during a game held by La Liga Continental de Futbol, a soccer league created in 2009. It holds games for children from ages 4 to 17 each weekend. Portillo was a longtime referee in the league. Family members say he loved soccer and had been working as a referee in various leagues for over eight years. This was not the first attack on Portillo. Players have broken his legs in the past, but Potillo refused to give up his passion for soccer.