Referee Handed Life Ban for Celebrating With Winning Team After Issuing 4 Red Cards to Opponents

4 months ago 72

A Dutch referee named Jan Smit has been banned from footballing activities over suspected malpractice
St George won the controversial match in which three players and one coaching staff were red-carded
Smit raised eyebrows when a video captured him celebrating with the winning team

Dutch referee Jan Smit is in trouble over suspected malpractice during the game he handled between St. George and SV De Valken.

Collage of Jan Smit celebrating with St George's players.

The 61-year-old threw the game into confusion after sending off three De Valken players and a member of their coaching staff.

Why was Jan Smit banned?

The Sun reports that Smit added an extra 15 minutes to the end of the game, allowing St George to equalise.

St George had been trailing heading into stoppage time, during which goalkeeper Dave Laan equalised to win the championship.

Shortly after the match, Smit was pictured celebrating with the St George players.

A viral video captured the referee getting on the podium and lifting the trophy while singing songs of jubilation.

What was Smit's reaction to lifetime ban?

De Valken filed a complaint against the referee, who had a previous suspension in 2021 for "improper behaviour."

Upon investigation, the Dutch Football Association and the KNVB handed Smit a lifetime ban.

"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," read part of the statement from KNVB spokesperson Daan Schippers.

Smit, however, defended himself against the decision by insisting that what he did was not wrong.

He argued that his ban was laughable because KNVB had made the critical decision based on one video without doing research.

"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," he said in an interview.