Thursday, July 10, 2008

Ref banned for drinking on the job

A prominent international referee has been suspended for alleged alcohol abuse after he had to be helped off the pitch at a Belarus league match.

Sergei Shmolik was escorted off the pitch, ostensibly because of back pain, at the end of Saturday's match between Vitebsk and Naftan.

The stadium crowd were stunned by Shmolik's peculiar behaviour. The referee was hardly moving by the end of the match, which ended in a 1-1 draw, as he officiated the game from the centre circle, refusing to go to his pocket for any cards throughout.

Shmolik then waved to the crowd as he staggered off the pitch, brushing off an official's attempts to prop him up.

The 43-year-old was later taken to the hospital for tests, which showed high levels of alcohol in his system.

The Belarus football federation said Shmolik's case will be subject to a disciplinary committee.

"I haven't seen a drunk referee before. It's just beyond my comprehension," said Belarus national coach Bernd Stange, who was at the game.

A Belarus Football Federation spokesman said: "We cannot comment until the end of investigation into what happened in Vitebsk. At the moment Shmolik is suspended from his refereeing duties."

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