Soccer player banned for attacking ref

Soccer player banned for attacking ref

Published Feb. 10, 2011 12:00 a.m. ET

An amateur soccer player in Italy has been given a 20-month ban for trying to force a whistle down a referee's throat after he was sent off for a penalty.

Andrea Biondi was dismissed by the referee in his Florence-based team Albereta 72's 2-2 draw at Sancat.

After being sent off for insulting the referee, Biondi grabbed the back of the official's head and tried to push the whistle into his mouth, the ANSA news agency reported.

Biondi continued to insult and threaten the referee as he left the field, the agency added.

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