UEFA banned two Champions League officials for 'terrible' drunken mistake

UEFA once banned two Champions League officials for behaviour on the morning of a qualifying fixture.

Europe's premier club competition returns on Tuesday night, with a total of 18 games in the league phase across three days - including clashes like Newcastle vs Barcelona, Bayern Munich vs Chelsea, Liverpool vs Atalanta and Manchester City vs Napoli.

18 referees will have their hands full, with Marian Barbu of Romania making his group stage debut when he officiates Sparta Prague vs Bodo Glimt.

The Champions League is the highest level for an official but back in 2024, two referees messed up their opportunity for their off-the-field conduct.

Bartosz Frankowski and Tomasz Musial of Poland had been due to serve as VAR officials for Rangers' trip to Dynamo Kiev in the third Champions League qualifying.

The fixture took place in Lublin in their native Poland but ahead of the 1-1 draw Polish media reported that the duo had been drinking and were stopped by police in the early hours after being caught on CCTV moving a road sign.

As per superintendent Kamil Golebiowski, both officials were fined after a breathalyse test showed they had alcohol in their system.

Frankowski was one of two referees banned by UEFA. Image: Getty

They were quickly replayed by other officials belonging to the Polish Football Association, who suspended them in August ahead of "detailed analysis of the situation" being carried out.

But UEFA also elected to act after Frankowski and Musial went against "basic rules of decent conduct" and brought the game into disrepute.

In October 2024, it was announced that the both men would be banned from any type of officiating in UEFA until June 2025.

In a statement, Frankowski, a FIFA official since 2014, said: "Throughout my 22 years of refereeing I have tried to discharge my duties professionally and avoid any blemishes on my image.

"I made a terrible mistake that I deeply regret. I will accept the consequences with humility, but at the same time I would like to hope that I will be able to rebuild your trust someday."

Tomasz Musial issued a full apology. Image: Getty

Meanwhile, Musial acknowledged his "irresponsible and unprofessional" actions and issued a full apology.

He stated: "I feel very sorry and - in purely human terms - stupid, because I know that my unfortunate behaviour will cast a shadow over many years of hard work.

"I am aware of the consequences that await me, but I hope that I will be able to rehabilitate myself and rebuild your trust."

Frankowski has been refereeing in the Polish top flight this term, though Musial does not appear to have returned.