UCL: Referee Fabio Maresca suspended for threatening to kill player

Italian referee Fabio Maresca has been suspended from officiating UEFA Champions League (UCL) matches following allegations that he threatened to kill a player during a recent game.

The incident, which has led to Maresca’s suspension, occurred during a face-off between Kuwait SC and Al-Arabi.

According to reports from Corriere della Sera, the controversy arose when Maresca collided with Al-Arabi player Khaled Al Murshed. While the referee appeared to downplay the incident, Adnan Abdul, a board member of Al-Arabi, claimed that Maresca threatened to “kill the player” in the heat of the moment.

As a result of the allegations, Maresca has not only been removed from UCL duties but also faces the possibility of a one-month suspension from refereeing in Italian Serie A matches.

His role as the fourth official for the PSV vs. Sporting CP match was quickly reassigned to his compatriot, Daniele Doveri.

The game eventually ended in a 1-1 draw, officiated by another Italian referee, Marco Guida, alongside assistants Ciro Carbone and Giorgio Peretti.

Maresca’s future as a top-tier referee now hangs in the balance as investigations into the incident continue, and the football community awaits further disciplinary actions.