PARIS, June 18: Soccer's ruling body FIFA today said it was holding an investigation after World Cup referee Lucien Bouchardeau was quoted as saying that he was about to be sacked from the finals.Under FIFA rules, referees are not allowed to talk to the press during the World Cup.
Nigeria's Bouchardeau gave Italy the controversial late penalty which allowed them to snatch a 2-2 draw with Chile in their opening match on June 11 in Bordeaux.
The referee judged that Chilean defender Ronald Fuentes was guilty of handball after a cross from Roberto Baggio hit him on the arm.
In an interview released yesterday by Italian sports daily Tuttosport, Bouchardeau was quoted as saying that he expected to be sent home.
"I know, they told me," he was quoted as saying. "It's not just the World Cup. My career is over. I will never be able to referee again at a top level."
"We are investigating this," said FIFA spokesman Keith Cooper.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
