UEFA Drops Linesman From Euro 2020 Because Of Cristiano Ronaldo

UEFA has punished Mario Diks, the linesman who failed to award Cristiano Ronaldo’s last-gasp goal during Portugal’s World Cup qualifying game against Serbia.

Diks ruled that Ronaldo’s ‘goal’ against Serbia had not crossed the line and instead the Portugal captain was booked for dissent.

The football governing body has now dropped Diks from the Netherlands’ officiating team for Euro 2020.

Ronaldo waa furious after his last-minute winning goal in the 2022 World Cup qualifying clash which ended in a 2-2 draw.

Backed by UEFA, the centre referee for the game, Danny Makkelie who publicly apologised for the mistake, has now dropped Diks from his set-up ahead of this summer’s European Championship.

Diks confirmed the news to Omrop Fryslan, saying, “This is a very, very big disappointment for me so close to the European Championship.

“On Wednesday, March 31, I heard from Makkelie that he wants to continue with another assistant, because the confidence in our collaboration has gone.

“I was really hoping for more support, understanding and trust after the successful collaboration over the years.”

Makkelie revealed that Jan de Vries has been drafted in to replace Diks, adding,
“It is true that Jan de Vries has taken over the position of Mario Diks in the team,” Makkelie added to Omrop Fryslan.

“It’s a team issue. Out of respect for Mario, but also in the interest of the team, we are not making any statements about the reason for the change.”