Referee BANNED FOR LIFE for holding ‘VAR review’ on fan’s phone as ex-Man Utd ace Nemanja Matic sends message of support
SERBIAN referee Stefan Lazovic has received support from Nemanja Matic after being permanently banned for his “budget VAR check”.
Lazovic recently went viral when he decided to rule out a goal after checking footage recorded on a fan’s phone.
Serbian chiefs reportedly didn’t take too kindly to the incident from a lower league match going viral around the world – allegedly stripping Lazovic of his duties.
The decision has prompted outrage from fans online – with former Manchester United star Nemanja Matic among those to have offered their support to the axed whistler.
Matic, now of Roma, commented on a piece supporting Lazovic with a two hands raised emoji – agreeing with the points made.
The post by Instagram account ftbl.serbia read: “Support for Stefan Lazovic! Why should only he suffer, why such a rigorous sentence, why a lifetime ban from trial?
READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS
“How is it possible that there is no penalty for the delegate and all other authorities from the responsible FS of that district?
“How could the match be allowed to be played without one assistant referee?! Who is responsible here? Why does Stefan’s spear break?
“At the end of the day, the fact that he watched the video and changed the decision, just shows that he wanted everything to be FAIR!
“He talks about the fact that he was not a slave to his vanity, but he admitted and corrected his mistake.
Most read in Football
HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
“Well, this video went around the world and now millions of people have heard about the “over there” football clubs Popovic and Apollon, as well as the village of Vrnjci!
“In short, we appeal to the judges’ organisation and the competent authorities – now you CHANGE the decision! Let the VAR system work for you too and cancel the penalty. Correct the ERROR!
“SUPPORT FOR STEFAN LAZOVIC!”
Plenty of other commenters agreed with the post.
One wrote: “Punishment for correcting a wrong decision.”
While a second added: “He always turns out to be an honest man, he didn’t harm anyone, he just did the right thing, good for Stefan Lazovic.”