Champions League Referee Suspended After Allegedly Threatening to Kill Player

Long-serving Champions League referee Fabio Maresca has been suspended from officiating European matches following accusations that he threatened to kill a player.

The incident occurred during a Kuwait Premier League match on Friday, where Maresca allegedly made the threat towards Kuwaiti footballer Khaled Al Murshed. According to Al Murshed, the Italian referee said, “See you next time, I’ll kill you.” However, a conflicting account from another player suggests Maresca simply said, “See you next time,” without any further comment, according to Italian outlet Corriere della Sera.

Following the allegations, Maresca was promptly removed from his scheduled role as the fourth official in Tuesday’s Champions League match between PSV and Sporting Lisbon, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

Despite the serious nature of the accusation, Maresca has downplayed the incident, insisting that his comment was made in jest. As a result, he appears likely to avoid further sanctions in Kuwait, where the incident took place.

Maresca, 43, has been a professional referee in Italy since 2011 and has officiated in European competitions since 2018. The incident has cast a shadow over his otherwise steady career, and UEFA has yet to release an official statement on the matter.