Martin Hansson, the referee for Atletico de Madrid’s recent UEFA Champions League fixture against Liverpool, has told press that he has received death threats over his decision to award a late controversial penalty to Liverpool.

 

Hansson award a penalty to Liverpool in the final minutes after Mariano Pernia was adjudged to have pushed over Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard. Madrid were leading 1-0 at the time and subsequently drew the game after Gerrard scored the penalty.

The Swedish referee told press in Sweden: "I have received death threats; it has been horrible and feels very uncomfortable. The phone rang 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. I have notified the police that there have been threats against my life. But it is difficult for the police to prove."

Hansson went on to blame the media for much of the threats, who he claims are responsible for such wide spread anger over his decision.

"I find it odd that it never, or hardly ever, gets mentioned when the referees are doing something good, only when it is something that is questionable," he said.

However, Hansson also revealed he will continue to referee, saying: "I thought about quitting, but I have made my decision to continue. But I never considered it as much as right now."

The news will come as a problem for Atletico Madrid, who’s fans already appear in negative light around the world following recent violence which caused the Spanish club to play a fixture behind closed doors on top of a fine.