What if the ball hits the referee in football?

Answer 1

The referee is considered part of the field. Play would continue.

ANSWER:

Since the referee is considered an extension of the field, if a forward pass hits him, the play is over, since that would be the same thing as a forward pass hitting the ground.

Under pretty much all other circumstances, play would continue.

Answer 2

The referee must send the player off for violent conduct and write up what happened in the game report. If the referee feels at any moment that his safety is in continuing jeopardy, the game must be abandoned as well.

Referee associations strongly recommend that the referee file assault charges with both the league, national referee association, and local law enforcement. Regardless whether the referee does this, a time-limited or lifetime ban could be given by the league and/or national association.