Two 'hooligan' Polish referees who were booted out of Rangers' Champions League showdown with Dynamo Kyiv for being drunk and getting arrested by local police have now been suspended by the Polish FA for 90 days.
Bartosz Frankowski and countryman Tomasz Musial were supposed to be on the VAR team for the match in Lublin, but were arrested for drunken behaviour by local police after they stole a road sign and were hurriedly replaced by UEFA.
Frankowski, who was a VAR official at Euro 2024, issued a heartfelt apology and begged for forgiveness.
But they will both be able to return to refereeing after three months following a bumper ban from their national association which branded them both as hooligans.
Read more:
- Dynamo Kyiv 1-1 Rangers: Recruitment, poor trend and Dessers
- Dynamo Kyiv vs Rangers VAR officials 'arrested' before match
The Polish FA stated: "The disciplinary committee heard the explanations of two Ekstraklasa football referees who were to work at the Champions League qualifying match between Dynamo Kyiv and Rangers, regarding their hooligan conduct.
"The committee decided to apply a preventive measure against them in the form of a ban on football competitions organised by the Polish Football Association with immediate effect for a period of 90 days."
Frankowski said before the hearing: "I am very sorry that this happened. And on a purely human level, it was stupid, because I know that my unfortunate behaviour will cast a shadow on many years of hard work.
"What happened was irresponsible and unprofessional on my part, and I am fully aware of that. I sincerely apologise to the Polish FA and I also apologise to my family. I understand the consequences that await me, but I hope that I will be able to rehabilitate myself."
