February 12 – An Italian referee has been banned for a year for losing his cool and headbutting a goalkeeper he had sent off during a minor league game.
In a match between Borgo Mogliano and Montottone on February 1, the official Antonio Martiniello had given Borgo Mogliano’s goalkeeper Matteo Ciccioli his marching orders as the hosts won 3-1.
But when the pair confronted each other outside the dressing rooms after the game as the goalkeeper sought an explanation, the referee headbutted Ciccioli, who was taken to hospital to treat his injuries.
Martiniello’s ban will not only prevent him from officiating games for the next year but also from entering the facilities of teams in the top three tiers of Italian soccer, minor and amateur leagues, and matches involving the Italy national team.
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