After Tom Henning Øvrebø’s disastrous turn as a top-flight referee in the Champions League semifinals, the charge that referees from smaller nations shouldn’t be in charge of major matches was levied against him. All eyes immediately turned to the Champions League final match, looked at the referee sheet, and cringed: the official was Massimo Busacca, the top ref from the footballing powerhouse that is Switzerland.

Fortunately, Busacca was up to the challenge; he officiated a match that went incredibly smoothly, mostly because he became involved only when he needed to be. In the wake of Øvrebø’s fiasco, Busacca showed how little a referee’s country of origin impacted his ability to officiate in the top flight.


The bottom tiers, however, are another story. When fans of Switzerland’s FC Baden started attacking the pitch at the Young Boys-Baden Swiss Cup match this weekend, Busacca asked for an announcement to be played over the loudspeaker to have them ordered off. This caused Young Boys fans to taunt him, which resulted in…well, let’s let the Swiss Football Federation explain:

“During Saturday’s game between FC Baden and Young Boys in the first round proper of the cup, the top level Swiss referee “gave the finger” to fans who had insulted him.”

Busacca was probably particularly edgy about fan invasions; back in 2006, he was the official during the infamous “Basel Hooligan Incident”, where Basel fans attacked FC Zürich’s supporters and players following a decisive injury time goal. Busacca will serve a three-match for his conduct.

http://avoidingthedrop.com/2009/09/21/massimo-busacca-banned-for-manipulation-young-boys-at-wankdorf/

What does this prove, actually?
The only reason all this digging has gone on, is because Arsenal lost. Had the tie ended at 1-1, and RvP had not been sent off, he would be the best ref ever, no?

That shows Arsenal are pathetic losers always complaining and whining about refs.

The same ref who ignored Messis penalty and didnt give Kolscieny a red card he so deserved

^ Although, I wanted a Barcelona win , that red card was uncalled for.

ANd Messi penalty ignore was called for? or Kolscieny getting away with several hacks?

The link doesnt even exist. . . fake news with fake source

See the name of the place sef. [b]self-service[/b]dorf
Even I would give those boys the finger