Usama Waheed | September 23, 2009
Pepe’s Portuguese picks
Scientists to investigate rift in Old Trafford time continuum [NewsArse]
Top 10 controversial celebrations [FourFourTwo]
Hyperbole of the day [TribalFootball]
Craig Bellamy’s wall of shame [MirrorFootball]
Daniel De Rossi finds an unexpected lover [YouTube]
Rob Parker | September 23, 2009
Official relieves his bladder during game
This footage comes from the Qatari league match between Al Ghafarah and Al Khor. While waiting for a corner to be taken, the referee turned groundsman and decided to hose the pitch. Aside from the fact that he didn’t seem to think anyone would notice the most disturbing thing about [...]
Rob Parker | September 22, 2009
Respect this ref
The Swiss referee who took charge of Barcelona’s Champions League final victory against Manchester United has been banned for three matches for sticking his middle finger up at fans.
Massimo Busacca was pictured making the gesture during a match between FC Baden and Young Boys. The official claims he was provoked by “verbal abuse” [...]
Rob Parker | September 9, 2009
Official suspends match to talk to police
The Spanish third division match between Jumilla and Puente Tocinos last weekend was halted when the referee answered a tannoy announcement about his car. The official waited for a break in play before heading to the touchline to talk to police.
According to reports, the ref’s Audi had its windows [...]
Rob Parker | May 27, 2009
Champions League Final ref gets blessing from the Pope
When the Pope’s not busy urging AIDS sufferers to shun condoms, he loves nothing better than blessing referees while wearing a middle-aged woman’s hat. So Manchester United and Barca go head-to-head tonight safe in the knowledge that referee Massimo Busacca has got the big guy upstairs on [...]
Rob Parker | May 8, 2009
The refs who were told they would be officiating with the fishes
1. Anders Frisk
The original Chelsea-Barcelona death-threatened referee. The Swedish official retired in 2005 after officiating between the two sides in a Champions League match. Jose Mourinho claimed Frank Rijkaard had been seen entering Frisk’s room at half-time. And Blues fans were also angry with [...]
Rob Parker | March 25, 2009
The shoe’s on the other foot now!
For those of you who think the FA’s disciplinary and appeal process is convoluted enough, cover your eyes now. The Professional Game Match Officials Board, the body which represents the country’s top referees, has written to the Football Association for an explanation after Aston Villa keeper Brad Friedel’s red [...]
