A father and son have been charged following the alleged assault of two referees – one knocked unconscious – at a Rugby 7s competition in Lyneham on Sunday.

Police were called to a junior Rugby 7s tournament at Southwell Park playing fields at about 3pm where they allege the two men, both from Fairfield in Sydney, had come on to the pitch with the 18-year-old son assaulting a referee. As the referee was being assisted by a second referee, police say the 42-year-old father “coward punched” the second referee from behind. He was knocked unconscious and taken to hospital.

Police arrested the 18-year-old as he attempted to leave the scene and the 42-year-old man was arrested late last night when he turned up at the City Police Station. Both men have been charged with assault and are scheduled to appear in court in November.

Anyone with video footage of the incident should contact crimestoppers.com.au