Two referees have been banned from UEFA competitions after violating “basic rules of decent conduct” with “improper behaviour” before a Champions League qualifying tie.
Polish officials Bartosz Frankowski and Tomasz Musial were removed from duty as video assistant referees (VARs) for Rangers’ match with Dynamo Kyiv in Lublin, Poland in August.
Local media reports indicated the two men were stopped in the early hours of the morning by police having been drinking and moving a road sign.
UEFA, European football’s governing body, stood both officials down from the game with the Polish FA beginning an investigation into the matter and later fining and suspending them.
On Friday, UEFA’s control, ethics and disciplinary body confirmed both had been charged with violating “basic rules of decent conduct” and with “bringing the sport of football, and UEFA in particular, into disrepute”.
Both Frankowski and Musial, regular officials in the Champions League and Europa League in recent years, have since apologised for their actions.
They will not be eligible to officiate in UEFA competitions again until June 30, 2025, the governing body confirmed.
Rangers and Dynamo Kyiv went on to draw the first leg before the Ukrainian side won the second the following week 2-0 to advance.
(Alan Harvey/SNS Group via Getty Images)
