Soccer Official Gets 3-Game Ban for Giving Fans the Finger

Most Americans who don't follow soccer often think the international version is equal parts brutish and lawless. Ironically, these are the same people who clear their calendars for six months a year to watch football.

Soccer's less than stellar reputation has less to do with on-field goings on as it does with the anarchy that takes place in the stands. For the most part, anyway.

Massimo Busacca, described by the BBC as a "high-profile Swiss football referee," has been suspended after giving fans the finger during a recent match between FC Baden and Young Boys.

[Busacca] had asked for a warning to be played over the public address system after Baden supporters ran onto the pitch.

Mr Busacca said he was provoked by the subsequent "verbal abuse" he received from the fans, but he apologised for his "unsporting gesture".

The BBC adds that Busacca was in charge of last season's Champions League final, and the Swiss football association calls him "the best Swiss referee." Still, rules are rules. And while it's one thing for fans to urinate on each other in the stands, it's something else entirely to give those same people the finger. (Um, never mind.)

In related news, Busacca attended the Bengals-Packers game during his forced vacation*.

* Not really

Via TBL