Daily Star

THE REFEREE’S A HEROIC REFUGEE

Jacob forced to flee brutal drug gang

- ■ by ANTONY THROWER antony.thrower@dailystar.co.uk

A REFUGEE who was on the books at Everton and Newcastle United is hoping to become an elite referee.

Jacob Viera escaped to the UK from his native Kenya after surviving an assassinat­ion attempt when gang members tried to electrocut­e him.

The 24-year-old had dreamed of becoming a Premier League player but was stopped when he suffered a ligament injury.

But now he is on the FA’S Centre of Refereeing Excellence programme and has passed level four exams.

Jacob, who lives in Liverpool with his wife and daughter, said: “It’s been absolutely fantastic.

“I started as a level eight and nine referee when I had my ACL injury to keep myself going with football before my recovery. One year later, I loved refereeing more than playing.

“My ambition is to be a Fifa elite referee one day and to referee in the Premier League.”

Jacob revealed he had been playing for the Kenyan Under-16 national team and was about to travel to Tanzania when he was approached by drug dealers who wanted him to run narcotics across the border. He refused but one day, after returning from training, there was “a loud bang” when he opened his door.

Jacob said: “Live wires had been attached to my door handle, these had been connected to an electrical socket. I had been electrocut­ed.

“I was rushed to hospital with the skin on my face, neck and left arm scorched off. My injuries were so severe the doctor thought that I needed a miracle more than treatment.”

He eventually recovered sought refuge in the UK.

Jacob said:“i know I’ve got a long way to go with my refereeing career but I’m proud of what I’ve achieved and happy for the safety I’ve had while I’ve been in England.” and

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 ??  ?? NEW GOAL: Jacob at Everton’s Goodison Park
NEW GOAL: Jacob at Everton’s Goodison Park
 ??  ?? GRUESOME: Attack injuries
GRUESOME: Attack injuries

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