BRISBANE, Australia — An Australian Rules football umpire has been banned after being charged with punching a spectator at a junior match.

League officials said Monday that the 39-year-old umpire, who was not named, was alleged to have hit a 61-year-old father of two during a heated argument at the end of an under-18 age group preseason game between the University of Queensland and Kenmore on Sunday.

Police said the man had been charged with one count of assault occasioning bodily harm and was issued with a notice to appear in court. The victim suffered facial injuries.

AFL Queensland chief executive Richard Griffiths said the umpire had agreed to step down indefinitely.

"Because of the police investigation we both agreed it was in his best interest and the game's best interest that he doesn't umpire from this point onwards," Griffiths said. "We are very concerned of the nature of the incident."

He said the umpire had 10 years of experience and did not have a history of violence.