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Indonesian footballer Pieter Rumaropen, who punched a referee in the face, has been banned for life by the country�s football authority. The striker for Papua province club Persiwa Wamena, punched referee Muhaimin after he awarded a penalty to Pelita Bandung Raya during a Super League match on Sunday in West Java�s capital Bandung. Muhaimin was taken to hospital where he received four stitches. The match was held up for 15 minutes before a replacement official took over and gave Rumaropen a red card. Hinca Panjaitan, a member of the disciplinary commission of Indonesia�s Football Association, PSSI, said Rumaropen�s behavior damaged the image of the country�s football. In 2008, PSSI imposed life bans on four players for beating up a referee and his assistants. Rumaropen�s Persiwa Wamena were tied 1-1 with Pelita Bandung Raya on Sunday when referee Muhaimin awarded a penalty to Pelita with eight minutes left on the clock. Video replays of the incident showed Rumaropen running up behind Muhaimin and landing a swinging left hook on the referee, who had to be admitted to a hospital due to excessive bleeding from his nose. Persiwa, currently seventh in the 18-team league, lost 2-1 after their opponents converted the penalty. Persiwa defender Richardo Roberto was also sent off in the first half of the match.