A hazardous profession. Especially at Stamford Bridge
Being a football referee can be lonely at the best of times, but if you're in charge of a Chelsea game things get a whole lot more sinister, as Norwegian match official Tom Ovrebo has found to his cost.
Ovrebo had to be smuggled out of the UK after his controversial handling of the Champions League tie at Stamford Bridge in which Barcelona scored in stoppage time to progress to the final. Prior to this he had to exit the pitch quickly in order to escape Chelsea players, including John Terry, Michael Ballack and Didier Drogba who were incensed that he had turned down four penalty appeals from the home side.
Police in Ovrebo's home city of Oslo are now investigating death threats made against him on internet forums, and Facebook, some of which have included his home address.
It's not the first time that a referee has been subjected to this sort of treatment after inflicting perceived injustices on the London club. In 2005, Anders Frisk received similar threats after he sent off Drogba, again in a match against Barcelona, which the Blues went on to lose 2-1.
As a result, Frisk retired, ending a 27-year career. 'I won't ever go out on a football pitch again. I am too scared. It is not worth it', he said at the time.
'There have been threats on the telephone and via email and post, and my family have also been threatened. I have a big family and I have been worried - anything can apparently happen.'
The irony is, that as a boy, Frisk was a Chelsea fan. Outside of football Ovrebo is a psychologist. Presumably he'll be equipped to understand the mentality of those who wish to see his demise.
|
Subscribe to News-Hog