IRISH League referee Tim Marshall from Fermanagh found himself the centre of unwanted attention after getting caught up in ugly scenes in Reykjavik after the UEFA Conference League match between Valur and Vllaznia last Thursday.
Icelandic-based side Valur equalised well into injury time at home in the first leg of the qualifier, which led to a mass brawl between the two teams. Vllaznia, who were already down to ten men were unhappy with the 99th-minute goal, coming three minutes after the permitted six minutes that Irvinestown referee Marshall indicated.
After Marshall blew up for the 2-2 draw, a brawl ensued between players and fans alike, including travelling Vllaznia fans clashing with the security guards.
Reports coming from the match said that Marshall and his fellow Northern Irish officials Georgios Argyropoulos, Adam Jeffrey and Shane Andrews had bottles thrown at them and were spat at by fans as they exited the field.
Icelandic media reported that the situation escalated to such an extent that Valur’s board members were threatened ahead of their trip to Albania for the return fixture.
Police were called to the scene but no arrests were made.
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