Bartosz Frankowski and Tomasz Musial have received a lengthy suspension from UEFA following their arrest for an alleged attempt to steal a road sign, a situation that has garnered significant attention within the sports community.
The bizarre incident transpired just hours before a Champions League qualifying match between Rangers and Dynamo Kyiv in Lublin, Poland, on August 6. Frankowski was meant to oversee the VAR (Video Assistant Referee) operations for the match, with Musial serving as his assistant. Unfortunately for both officials, local police intervened, leading to their arrest. UEFA swiftly decided to replace them with Tomasz Kwiatkowski and Pawel Malec to take over VAR responsibilities for this crucial match.
Senior Superintendent Kamil Golebiowski of the Lublin City Police offered a thorough account of the events from that early morning. According to him, police received a call around 1:40 am reporting three men seen carrying a road sign down the street. Upon investigation at the location, it became evident that all three individuals, including the referees, were intoxicated, with blood alcohol levels exceeding 1.5 per mille. As a result, they were taken to a sobering-up center, marking a rather unfortunate sequence of events on the day of an important sporting fixture.
In response to the incident, Frankowski released a heartfelt statement acknowledging his actions and conveying profound regret. He highlighted the damaging repercussions this incident would have on his reputation and career. “I am still trying to find words that will sufficiently express how much I regret this incident and how sorry I am. I realize that with one such violation, I ruined 22 years of refereeing, ruined my entire career,” he lamented, characterizing the occurrence as “stupidity” and an “idiotic fantasy,” struggling to articulate the absurdity of what transpired.
Reflecting on what led to the incident, Frankowski mentioned, “I should have calmly prepared for the match and not gone anywhere.” He acknowledged that their prank was caught on CCTV, which prompted police action. “I would like to clarify that we were in no way aggressive. These were stupid jokes. We did not suspect that it would be perceived this way. We had no bad intentions,” he asserted.
He provided context for their actions, admitting that their choice to take the sign, which was resting near roadwork, was ill-advised. “Now, looking back, I understand that it was not a very smart idea. I am very sorry that this happened,” he expressed, lamenting that his regrettable choices would overshadow years of hard work.
Frankowski took full responsibility for the irresponsibility and unprofessionalism of his actions and reinforced that there was no aggression shown towards the police or any individuals involved. “I was not charged with any offense, I was only fined. I sincerely apologize to the Polish FA and I also apologize to my family. I understand the consequences that await me, but I hope that I will be able to rehabilitate myself,” he concluded in his statement.
Having been a prominent official at major European football events, including Euro 2020 and the upcoming Euro 2024, Frankowski has regularly worked alongside Musial in Poland’s Ekstraklasa and the Champions League. This incident now raises doubts about their future in officiating, leaving many questioning the impact it will have on their careers as they look ahead. The effects of this unusual occurrence are likely to persist even after penalties and suspensions are enacted, serving as a cautionary tale within the realm of professional sports.
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