Ref had wet his whistle
Published: 09 July, 2008, 17:23
It’s widely known that football referees have one of the toughest jobs in sport. But nobody expects them to turn to drink to relieve the stress – and certainly not during a match. Yet that’s what apparently happened at a Belarusian Premier Lea
The first half went well enough. It was only when the players came out for the second half that people began to notice something was wrong.
At first it looked like the FIFA appointed referee, Sergey Shmolik, was having trouble with his back. But gradually the players and spectators saw the real reason – he was drunk.
The referee spent most of the second period in the centre circle, directing the game with meaningless gestures and strange whistle-blows.
Shmolik has been suspended from refereeing for the time being and is due to face a hearing at the Belarusian FA later this week.
No one knows what happened for certain, but that half-time cup of tea looks to have had more than just milk and sugar in it. A test performed after the match revealed an enormous amount of alcohol in the referee’s blood.
The match, meanwhile, ended in a 1-all draw.
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With all the drunk fans in the stands,I'm suprised anyone even noticed the Ref was drunk
This is just geat...Just what the sports world needed. Now, do we not only have players doing drugs and alcohol a person dressed in a referees out fit does it. He can not be a real ref because real refs would not do that. But did you notice that this is the one incident in many years that as official has done something like this? Yet, year in and year out referees save players lives ( 1995 Beaumont, California - Beaumont High School vs Big Bear Highschool in American Football. Back Judge acted) and are the first on the scene of a tragic injury to offer support. Hmmmm
Such a man should be sacked without pardon!