Referee on the list for the World Cup, arrested after a European match! » The charge brought by the police in London
Article by Daniel Scorpie – Published on Tuesday, 28 April 2026, 20:27 / Updated on Tuesday, 28 April 2026 20:35
A UEFA referee has been handcuffed for allegedly sexually assaulting a boy after he was in Britain as a delegate to a European cup match. The official was accused of groping him in the private parts and trying to lure him to his hotel room before that game.
According to The Sun, English police launched the investigation after “the referee, a foreign national delegate for the midweek match, was detained in front of shocked UEFA officials on his way back to his hotel”. The English learned that it would be an assistant.
A source told the quoted tabloid: “He reportedly began talking to a boy in a public area of the hotel. He is accused of touching and groping the boy against his will and trying to lure him into his room. It's shocking and totally inappropriate if it turns out to be true.”
The Sun: “Police were waiting to arrest him and read him his rights. He was questioned and then released on bail”
The boy, or a friend of his, reportedly reported the incident to the police while the accused was leaving to referee the match. “He returned to the hotel that evening. As he entered with the UEFA delegation, the police were waiting to arrest him and read him his rights. He he was taken and questioned, then released on bail.” the Sun source continued.
The referee under investigation is one of hundreds on FIFA's shortlist for this summer's World Cup
Police could extradite him to Britain if he is charged. The suspect is one of the hundreds of referees to officiate at the World Cup this summer. FIFA said he will not be considered for any of its competitions as the investigation continues.
“We are monitoring the situation with great concern. In the meantime, the official will not be considered for any match in UEFA competitions,” the Nyon forum also confirmed.
London's Metropolitan Police said that a man in his 30s has been released on bail pending an investigation into reports of sexual assault of a teenager.
