Man to be jailed for choking soccer ref

A man from Morris has admitted trying to choke a soccer referee at a game last September involving 6- and 7-year-olds.

William Favretto pleaded guilty to battery last week and has been sentenced to 14 days in the Grundy County Jail and two years of probation. He also must stay away from the victim, undergo anger-management counseling, pay $500 and apologize to the referee.

Grundy County State's Attorney Sheldon Sobel called Favretto's conduct totally out of line.

The incident began when Favretto's wife argued with referee George Wilhelmsen that her son had been fouled and a foul should be called. The referee repeatedly asked her to leave the field, but she wouldn't. Her husband then ran onto the field and attacked Wilhelmsen. Several adults pulled Favretto off Wilhelmsen.