sports news Referee evaluator ‘sacked by PGMOL’ after hit with five-month ban for… trending now

A referee evaluator has reportedly been sacked after being hit with a five-month ban by the Football Association after he was found to have made racist comments to a black official.

Rodger Gifford, who worked as a Premier League referee from 1992 to 1996, told a black official that he would have to smile in the dark to be seen.

Gifford was alleged to have made the comment to an assistant referee coach after an FA Cup second round match between Newport County and Barnet in December.

The match referee, assistant and two other officials gave witness statements in the case, with the FA redacting their identity from the final verdict.

Gifford denied the allegation, saying she made a “lighthearted comment” and would “never intentionally insult a valued colleague.”