POLICE are hunting an amateur footballer accused of killing a referee by headbutting him after he was red-carded.

Fans thought the official had fainted after being knocked unconscious in the assault.

But Red Cross workers were unable to revive him after racing to his aid and discovering he had no pulse.

The AWOL player, who reportedly fled the scene in a pick-up truck amid chaotic scenes as the ref was receiving medical attention, was named locally as Ruben Rivera Vazquez.