UEFA ban Swiss referee Busacca

Swiss referee Massimo Busacca has been hit with a three-match ban for making insulting gestures to fans at the weekend.

Mr. Busacca, who refereed the 2009 UEFA Champions League final, was caught by a photographer gesturing to fans during a Swiss Cup match between Young Boys and Baden.

Busacca asked for a warning message to be played in the stadium, following the pitch invasion of some Baden fans as their side took an early lead.

The referee was then barracked with verbal abuse from the crowd, and responded by waving his middle finger back at the suppoters.

Mr. Busacca has since apologised for his actions in a statement:

“I let myself be provoked by verbal abuse from supporters. I lost my cool with an unsporting gesture.”

The well respected Busacca is due to officiate at the 2010 FIFA World Cup with the Swiss Football Association acknowledging the 40-year-old as the ‘best Swiss referee’.

His suspension is due to commence immediately.