Big game referee was once suspended

THE referee for tonight’s Ireland-Slovakia Group D match at Croke Park was once suspended by the Russian Football Federation for poor decision-making.

And Yuri Baskakov was accused of corruption by Hearts earlier this season following their elimination from the UEFA Champions League by AEK Athens. He cleared of any wrong-doing.

The 43-year-old Russian official became involved in a war of words with controversial Hearts majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov after two Hearts players were sent off in the second leg of the Champions’ League qualifying tie in Greece, which AEK won 3-0.

Romanov claimed Baskakov was biased and alleged that pre-match comments by the referee indicated he would favour AEK. Hearts manager Valdas Ivanauskas charged that Baskakov cleared Julien Brellier to play wearing an earring, only to book the player when the match began.

Brellier was later sent off for a second yellow card, as was Neill McCann.

Baskakov defended himself strongly. “Allegations I allowed the Greek team’s players to play with jewellery on is an absolute lie,” he insisted.

“Their rings were all taped over. Brellier went out to play insolently shining his diamond earrings and big wedding ring all over the stadium. I had to book him.”

Baskakov, who controlled Spurs’ UEFA Cup match against Sporting Braga earlier this month, booked eight players and sent off one during a World Cup qualifier between Bosnia-Herzegovina and Lithuania in 2005.

Three members of the Slovakia squad will be familiar with the man in the middle tonight.