UEFA in August replaced Frankowski and Musial with two other referees, after they were accused of drinking before Champions League match
By Kehinde Okeowo
The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has banned Bartosz Frankowski and Tomasz Musial from refereeing, for bringing the game into disrepute.
The two Polish officials, who were expected to work on VAR went on a drunken bender before a Champions League match between Rangers and Dynamo Kyev in August and were later replaced by Tomasz Kwiatkowski and Pawel Malec.
Polish media reports alleged that the pair had been drinking and were stopped by police with another man in the early hours having moved a road sign.
The two referees later released statements of apology, saying that they co-operated with the police without aggression while Musial described the incident as “irresponsible and unprofessional”.
He added: “I feel very sorry and – in purely human terms – stupid, because I know that my unfortunate behaviour will cast a shadow over many years of hard work.
“I am aware of the consequences that await me, but I hope that I will be able to rehabilitate myself and rebuild your trust.”
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Frankowski on his part said: “Throughout my 22 years of refereeing I have tried to discharge my duties professionally and avoid any blemishes on my image.
“I made a terrible mistake that I deeply regret. I will accept the consequences with humility, but at the same time I would like to hope that I will be able to rebuild your trust someday.”
Despite their apologies, UEFA’s Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body has now suspended both Frankowski and Musial from refereeing until June 30.
Frankowski is regarded as one of Poland’s top officials, having refereed at Euro 2020 and Euro 2024, where he was a VAR.
Both he and Musial have also officiated in Poland’s Ekstraklasa and the Champions League.
