Referee Cesar Flores shot dead by player he had just sent off

An amateur footballer is being hunted by police in Argentina after he shot and killed a referee moments after being sent off.

Cesar Flores, 48, was refereeing a match between local youth teams in the central city of Cordoba when he sent off the player for a foul.

The player went to the dressing room but soon returned, armed with a revolver, and shot Flores three times to the head, neck and chest.

Another player, 25-year-old Walter Zarate, was also shot but is not reported to be in critical condition.

"It all happened during the match," said a police spokesman. "We don't know what happened with the referee but the player was angry and went to get his gun and killed him."

A manhunt is underway for the unnamed assailant.