Swiss referee Urs Meier admits that he is worried about the safety of his family after receiving death threats from English football supporters angry with his disallowing a last minute goal by Sol Campbell in the Euro 2004 quarter-final defeat by Portugal.
Meier revealed that he had been offered police protection for himself and his family and the 15 people he employs at his electrical goods shop as a result of the threats.
“I am not afraid for my life but for those of my family and close friends,” he told Swiss newspaper ‘Le Matin’.
“When they begin to involve my family and invade my private life, that is intolerable. They are trying to destroy me,” added Meier.
Meier has received the threats by phone and e-mail.
The Swiss referee became embroiled in controversy for disallowing a last minute goal to England, even though television replays appear to vindicate his decision.
“They are furious because I took the right decision. The whole world saw that I was right, except some English people,” said Meier.
