During a Czech football match, a referee was so intoxicated that he repeatedly fell over and inexplicably sent off three players before law enforcement intervened to administer a breathalyzer test on the inebriated official.
Karel Dusek, an official from the Jestrabi Lhota club, recounted to the Lidove Noviny newspaper, “His breath smelled strongly of alcohol and he openly acknowledged that he had been celebrating a birthday.”
Drenched in mud from his multiple tumbles, referee Tomas Fidra proceeded to eject three players from Jestrabi during the match against Tynec-nad-Labem.
With only eight players remaining, the home team opted to forgo attacking plays.
“This decision was even applauded by their supporters,” Dusek noted.
“There is no regulation that prohibits a drunk referee from officiating a game. If we had chosen to cease play, we could have faced penalties.”
Ultimately, the regional football authority ruled to nullify the match, which had concluded with a score of 1-1, citing principles of fair play.
The referee now faces the possibility of a 12-month suspension.
by Buford Balony