Italian referee banned after head butting goalkeeper

Referee Antonio Martiniello has been banned from officiating games or entering the facilities of football teams in the top three tiers in Italy.


Martinello sent off goalkeeper Matteo Ciccioli in a game between Borgo Mogliano and Montottone and after the game, the goal minder approached the referee for an explanation of what he did wrong.

According to The Guardian the referee head-butted Ciccioli outside the dressing room after the confrontation. The goalkeeper needed medical treatment from injuries sustained from the incident with the referee.

Martiniello was banned for not setting a good example for the youngsters in the league, according to the Macerata police office chief.

The game ended with the goalkeeper’s side winning 3-1.

For more news your way, download The Citizen’s app for iOS and Android.

For more news your way

Download our app and read this and other great stories on the move. Available for Android and iOS.