Champions League referee accused of threatening to kill a player axed from match and facing month-long Serie A suspension

An experienced Champions League referee has reportedly been suspended for allegedly threatening to kill a player.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Referee accused of threatening to kill player
• Facing month-long Serie A suspension
• Won't face punishment in Kuwaiti league

• Table of Contents

  Toggle

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  According to Italian publication , referee Fabio Maresca was accused of making the threat by Khaled Al Murshed in a Kuwait Premier League match between Al Kuwait and Al Arabi last week.

Advertisement

• Getty Images
  

  WHAT THE REFEREE ALLEGEDLY SAID

  Al Murshed has claimed Maresca said: "See you next time, I'll kill you", though another player reportedly believes the referee said: "See you next time". The official, who has been involved in European football matches for six years, is said to have insisted it was just a joke but a punishment has now come his way.

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  As a result, Maresca is reportedly set to be banned from officiating in Italy for a month. The 43-year-old was also removed from being the fourth official in Tuesday's Champions League tie between PSV and Sporting CP.

• WHAT NEXT?

  However, the referee, who has been officiating in Italian football since 2011, won't be punished in Kuwait as the incident was seen as 'on-field diplomacy'. That means he could be officiating on matches very soon.