An arbitrator selected by FIFA for the World Cup placed under investigation in Saudi Arabia
An arbitrator selected by FIFA to attend the World Cup has been placed under investigation in Saudi Arabia and has been banned from officiating a cup final match.
Fahad Al Mirdasi was designated as the central referee for Saturday's Copa del Rey final before being referred to administrative investigators, the Saudi Arabian Football Federation reported.
The statement published by the federation on Twitter did not specify the nature of the investigation against 32-year-old Al Mirdasi. It noted that the decision was approved by the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee, whose president, Turki Al-Sheikh, also heads the national sports body.
Al Mirdasi is one of the 36 referees chosen by FIFA to officiate the 64 World Cup matches, which start on June 14 in Moscow.
"The matter is with the Saudi Arabian Football Federation," FIFA told The Associated Press. "FIFA has no further comments."
Al Mirdasi participated last year in the Confederations Cup. He officiated the third-place match between Mexico and Portugal, a match in which two penalties were sanctioned, two players were sent off in extra time, and also the coach of the Mexican team, Juan Carlos Osorio.