Soccer Football - Champions League - Group D - FC Salzburg v Real Sociedad - Red Bull Arena Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria - October 3, 2023 Real Sociedad's Robin Le Normand is shown a yellow card by referee Bartosz Frankowski REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger/File Photo
(Reuters) -Two Polish referees will not be involved in the Champions League game between Dynamo Kyiv and Rangers after the Polish FA (PZPN) said on Tuesday that it was investigating reports of improper behaviour.
Bartosz Frankowski was appointed as the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) for the third qualifying round first-leg game in Lublin, Poland on Tuesday, with compatriot Tomasz Musial acting as assistant, but they have been replaced by UEFA.
"The College of Referees of the Polish FA will carry out a detailed analysis of the situation in connection with reports of improper behaviour of two Ekstraklasa referees who were supposed to work on the Champions League qualifying match between Dynamo Kiev and Rangers FC," a PZPN statement said.
Polish media reported that the two officials were seen carrying a road sign down a street in Lublin, and after police checked their alcohol levels they were taken to a sobering-up room in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
Both officials have apologised.
"I would like to express my regret for the events that took place on the night of 5 to 6 August. I am extremely sorry that I have damaged your trust with one irresponsible behaviour," Frankowski said.
"I would like to note that during the incident I was not aggressive, I cooperated with police officers, and in the end I was fined."
The pair have been replaced by two other Polish referees for the game which is taking place in Poland due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
(Reporting by Trevor Stynes in Krakow, editing by Ed Osmond)
