Nigeria, Croatia match referee Sandro Ricci suffers ligaments damage in Russia
- Referee Sandro Ricci that was in the middle during Nigeria’s Super Eagles’ opening Group D match against Croatia’s Blazers admitted in a Russian hospital
- Reports suggest the match arbiter is suffering from a ligament damage
- However, the report did not disclose if the referee’s World Cup functions were over
Brazilian referee Sandro Ricci that was in the middle during Nigeria’s Super Eagles’ opening Group D match against Croatia’s Blazers’ last Saturday at the ongoing 2018 Fifa World Cup has been admitted in a Russian hospital.
Reports coming out of the European nation suggest that the match arbiter, who also doubles as a public servant as well as an Economics graduate back in Brazil, suffered a ligament damage.
Brazilian referee Sandro Ricci(r) speaks with Super Eagles captain, John Obi Mikel during the Nigeria, Croatia Photo Credit: Getty Images
However, the report failed to reveal how the Fifa-bagged referee cropped the career threatening injury.
Also, there was no mention of the actual days the referee will be admitted in the health facility.
Equally, the report did not disclose if the referee’s World Cup function were over.
At the last count, the Nigeria, Croatia, fixture was the first match the Brazilian was in the middle.
Previously, Ricci was the fourth official during the tournament’s opening fixture between hosts’ Russia and Saudi Arabia.
In addition, the Brazilian was also the Video Assistant Referee during the England’s Three Lions’ and Tunisia’s Carthage Eagles match, but was largely faulted for not awarding a penalty to England after Colombian referee, Wilmar Roldan sort his advice after Harry Kane was brought down inside the vital area by a Tunisian defender.
Interestingly, during the Super Eagles’ opener, the Brazilian awarded Croatia a spot-kick after William Troost-Ekong unprofessionally fouled Mario Mandzukic inside the vital area following a corner-kick.
The unnamed person reportedly burnt the jersey worth N41,000 showing disgust on the performance of the Super Eagles.
It is unclear if the jersey was the original version of the official Nike kit for the national team to the Russia 2018 World Cup.
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