Referee accused of sexism

A REFEREE has denied using sexist insults against players for Crevillente women’s football team in their match at home against Alicante C on February 9.

He told the regional football federation (FFCV) committee that he was surprised by the players’ accusations that he called them ‘nenazas’ (sissies) and used phrases such as ‘I can’t wait for this crap game to be over’, ‘you lot are an embarrassment’ and ‘women shouldn’t play this game’.

Identified by his initials as D.A.M.G, he suspended the game in the 72nd minute when the visitors were 0-1 up and said all the incidents occurred after he awarded a penalty and there was a scuffle which resulted in several players being sent off.

The referee claimed he was insulted by a home team player calling him ‘sexist sh*t’, and ‘dickhead’.

He alleged a player had stated: “Eat me, retard, you’re not blowing the whistle against us again in this life.”

The FFCV is waiting for more information before making a decision, while the president of the visiting club, Jesús Cañizares – who is also president of the federation’s women’s football committee – assured his players had not heard the referee insult members of the opposing team, only expressions of despair at how ugly the situation had become.

Sr Cañizares insisted they had fought to rid the women’s game of problems like this and would have been the first to report the insults if they had heard them but would not ‘crucify’ a referee without proof.