Suspended Rankovic threatened to kill referee

dpa German Press Agency Published: Friday February 9, 2007

The Hague- Serbian footballer Aleksandar Rankovic threatened to kill a referee during a match last month, the Dutch football federation KNVB confirmed Friday. "When I see you in the City, I kill you," Rankovic told the referee in English, according to the KNVB.

ADO Den Haag midfielder Rankovic was sent off in the January 19 match against AZ Alkmaar after heavily disputing the referee's decision not to award a penalty.

Rankovic also pushed referee Kevin Blom during the incident, which resulted in the 27-year-old receiving a five-match ban, but it has now emerged that he threatened to kill him.

© 2006 dpa German Press Agency