Referee keen to avoid any injuries

swiss official in charge at pittodrie

Published:

THE referee appointed to officiate Aberdeen’s Europa League qualifier against Sigma Olomouc will be hoping for an uneventful evening at Pittodrie tomorrow after being left bloodied during a game in his homeland.

Swiss official Jerome Laperriere, who has been on the Fifa list since 2006, was hit by a missile during a goalless draw between Young Boys Berne and Neuchatel Xamax at the Stade de Suisse in April this year.

The object, which was later discovered to be a lighter thrown from the crowd, struck the official as he made his way to the dressing-room.

Despite only suffering a nasty cut to his chin, the television images of him lying prone on the floor dominated the sports headlines.

Laperriere, who lodged an official complaint with the police, said: “My first reaction was to think I'd been hit by a stone.

“I still haven't worked out why some of the supporters were angry with me. What would have happened if I'd really made an error?”

Laperriere will be assisted by Beat Hidber and Christoph Lanz tomorrow with Alain Bieri named fourth official.