A referee in Europe has been handed a lifetime ban after celebrating a team's title win after being in charge of the match that won them in the league.
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This week, the Dutch football association (KNVB) issued a statement after receiving complaints following an incident in the country's fourth division, which involved a match official celebrating a team's title triumph.
The man in question, Jan Smit, is a referee who took charge of a game between St. George and SV De Valken this past Sunday.
Smit was believed to have made questionable decisions during the tie, and hand out four red cards to SV De Valken, as per NH Nieuws.
The 61-year-old also reportedly added 15 minutes on at the end of the game before St. George eventually found the winning goal to win the league.
It is claimed Smit was later spotted celebrating with St. George's players and lifting the trophy.
"We have received several complaints after Sunday's match," said KNVB spokesperson Daan Schippers.
"This morning, we called Mr Smit and told him that he is no longer allowed to referee matches. We expect a neutral attitude from a referee and that both teams are treated with respect. That is, of course, where this attitude belongs, not included."
Smit has since defended his actions, insisting the KNVB only "watched one video" without doing any research for themselves.
"I wasn't partying with the players at all. I just sang a song and held up the bowl once. That's the only thing. I find it too sad for words that the KNVB is removing me for that reason. It's laughable," he said.
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"KNVB has not done any research and only watched one video. I assume that the whistling is now over, but I will no longer get on my knees like I did two years ago. Then they can go on the beet bridge."
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