Referee Who Yellow Carded Kylian Mbappe Reportedly Dismissed From the Tournament

A Euro 2024 referee who booked Kylian Mbappe during the group stages of the tournament has reportedly been dismissed.

Gil Manzano has been part of the refereeing contingent for the Germany edition of the continental showpiece.

However, SPORTbible reports that he won’t be officiating any more matches at the tournament after being ‘dismissed’ with immediate effect.

The publication reports that Manzano will be returning home after taking charge of the match pitting France and Austria, where he yellow-carded Mbappe for reentering the pitch without his authority.

Euro 2024: Kai Havertz reacts after helping Germany smash ‘sorry’ Scotland in opening match

Football

The Group D clash, held on Monday, June 17, at the Duesseldorf Arena, ended in a 1-0 win for France. Maximilian Wober’s own goal earned the 2018 World Cup champions a vital win.

Incidentally, it was the same match where Mbappe picked up a nasty nose injury after colliding with an Austrian defender.

While it remains unclear why UEFA made the decision, it has been claimed that Manzano was handed his marching orders due to his performances at Euro 2024.

Manzano sparks controversy in La Liga clash

Apparently, the Spanish referee is no stranger to controversies, with some of his decisions during La Liga matches putting him on the spot.

Goal reports that Manzano found himself on the receiving after he sent off Jude Bellingham during a Real Madrid clash against Valencia.

At the time, Bellingham appeared to have scored a winner for his side, only to emerge that the ref had blown the whistle already.

Euro 2024: Wout Weghorst opens up on how he told his girlfriend he will score late winner

Football

However, the decision did not go down well with the England international, who confronted Manzano to protest the decision.

The star midfielder was subsequently sent off, with Manzano’s decision landing him in trouble.

The referee himself was handed an unofficial two-game ban, with La Liga officials overlooking him in two gameweeks.

Meanwhile, Premier League referee, Michael Oliver, is among the top referees who will be officiating the remaining Euro 2024 tournament.

Oliver is scheduled to officiate the knockout clash pitting hosts Germany and underdogs Denmark, set for Saturday, June 29.

EPL referee Craig Pawson demoted

Earlier, Sports Brief reported on a Premier League referee who was demoted to UEFA’s second list of officials for next season following his performances in the 2023/2024 season.

Craig Pawson was found culpable of issuing a number of controversial decisions which saw him lose his place in the First List of the UEFA officials.