Atletico ref considered quitting

Hansson reveals death threats
Swedish ref hounded over penalty decision

Martin Hansson has revealed he has been on the end of death threats following the controversial conclusion to Liverpool's clash against Atletico Madrid at Anfield.

The Liga outfit had been heading towards a crucial 1-0 success in their UEFA Champions League clash earlier this month only for The Reds to be awarded a last-gasp penalty.

Marian Pernia jumped with (jumped into, more like Sky  :) Steven Gerrard in the box - but it was deemed an illegal manoeuvre by Swedish referee Hansson and his assistant. Gerrard then equalised with virtually the last kick of the game.

Atletico thought they should have claimed a famous win at Anfield and clearly one or two individuals have taken a dim view on Hansson's decision by hounding the official.

"I have received death threats. It has been horrible and feels very uncomfortable," he told the Sport-Expressen.

"I had enough. The phone ran all the time and I had a great many text messages. I am pretty used to this, but now I've had enough. It has been very threatening. I feel completely fed up, quite simply.

Martin Hansson has revealed he has been on the end of death threats following the controversial conclusion to Liverpool's clash against Atletico Madrid at Anfield.

The Liga outfit had been heading towards a crucial 1-0 success in their UEFA Champions League clash earlier this month only for The Reds to be awarded a last-gasp penalty.

Marian Pernia jumped with Steven Gerrard in the box - but it was deemed an illegal manoeuvre by Swedish referee Hansson and his assistant. Gerrard then equalised with virtually the last kick of the game.

Atletico thought they should have claimed a famous win at Anfield and clearly one or two individuals have taken a dim view on Hansson's decision by hounding the official.

"I have always had my mobile phone on and my number has been on the network. Now it no longer works. I'm sad that I can't be as open as I once was.

"I have notified the police that there have been threats against my life. But it is difficult for the police to prove."

Battle on

Despite Hansson's off-the-field problems, he has vowed not to walk away from the game like compatriot Anders Frisk.

"I know that it is not worth getting upset about it, and I'll keep on refereeing because I like it," he continued.

"I want to continue to believe that football can do a lot of good and it would be sad if these dark forces had any influence on me.

"I thought about quitting, absolutely, but I have made my decision to continue. But I never considered it (quitting) as much as right now."

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11669_4521693,00.html


Taking it a bit far these Atletico fans don't you think? I mean it was hardly a European Cup final, and it's not like they're still not practically guaranteed going through to the next round, possibly as leaders?

Crazy bas**rds.

dont give a sh*t we got our point and life goes on. get over it atletico.

dont give a sh*t we got our point and life goes on. get over it atletico.

Call me a c*** but my thoughts exactly...

Dont see what the fuss is about I mean they are still top of the group with 2 games to go.

Let's just qualify together. After all we have strong bonds with Atletico.

Death threats are a bit over the top. It's a football game.

Death threats are a bit over the top. It's a football game.

exactly right.  :

How in the hell though, do they get the ref's phone number...what a scary world we live in. 

Some fans are so uninformed! Reminds me of the Fatal shooting of Columbian player Escobar by a Columbian fan following Escobar's own goal in a match against USA that knocked Columbia out of the 1994 world Cup.

Atletico fans need to get a life!

A Quote from Wikipedia

 “On July 2, 1994, Escobar was shot outside "El Indio" bar, located in a Medellín suburb. According to Escobar's girlfriend, the killer shouted "Gooooooooooooool!" (mimicking South American sporting commentators for their calls after a goal is scored) for each of the 12 bullets fired[citation needed].
The murder was widely believed to be a punishment for the own goal.It is not clear whether the murderer acted on his own initiative, or whether he was sent out by one of the gambling syndicates who had bet large amounts of money on Colombia to qualify for the second round. The BBC issued an apology the following day after its pundit Alan Hansen commented on another match that "the Argentine defender wants shooting for a mistake like that."   (Jocky as subtle as a hand grenade!)


It’s a good job Phil Neville doesn’t play in South America as with his record of own goals he wouldn’t be able to set foot out the house without someone taking a pot shot at him, although I do think he would fit right in down Columbia way as he does have a look of latino about him (think Tevez with a nit nurse haircut!)

Scum,only a low grade fan would do this..

Wow. Shows how much faith they have in their team to qualify if they dont see them beating PSV and Marseille. I'm sure they would have taken 2 draws against us before we played anyway. Some people.

Not acceptable! death threats against someone in charge of a game?  as much as i love this game and Liverpool FC, i do have a sound perspective on life like most. it seems that a minority of people do not! 

Have to say that the atletico lot we met at anfield in the arkles after the game were a good bunch of lads swapping shirts and scarves and whatnot, but it just goes to show that element of scumbags which surround every club no matter where you go. Pathetic really win lose or draw you have to forget and get on with the next game, I wonder what this fan did to the ref of the game between them and Barcelona when atletico got hammered 6-1.