Different, better quality video of the above:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3fen0_we...ch-epoustouflan=============================================
April 5, 2000
Belgium gives controversial referee red card
By Michael Mann
BRUSSELS, April 5 (Reuters) - The Belgian referees' association has sacked international referee Amand Ancion after a year blighted by controversy, saying he lacked the credibility to take charge of top flight matches.
Ancion, who has been suspended since disallowing a goal during the closely-fought derby game in March between Excelsior Mouscron and Charleroi, said he would appeal.
Ancion ruled out the goal after Mouscron striker Axel Lawaree was played onside by a Charleroi defender lying injured just outside his penalty area, saying he was attempting to preserve a spirit of sportsmanship, even though the goal was legal according to the letter of the law.
A final ruling on his case was delayed after the fourth official alleged Ancion had attempted to influence his testimony to the inquiry.
Ancion, initially shortlisted to referee during this summer's Euro 2000 tournament, announced his retirement immediately after the Mouscron-Charleroi match, only to change his mind the following day.
Earlier this year, he was temporarily demoted to refereeing games in the lower divisions after sending off four players and awarding five penalties and nine yellow cards in a 6-6 draw between Westerlo and Genk on the first day of the season.
Ancion was also the referee at the centre of the storm over the suspension of Manchester United youngsters Ronnie Wallwork and Danny Higginbotham while they were on loan to Antwerp last year.
Wallwork initially received a lifetime ban from competitive soccer for allegedly grabbing Ancion by the throat after Antwerp lost a crucial play-off match last May. Higginbotham received a one-year ban for abusive behaviour.
The bans were later overturned on appeal.
Announcing Ancion's sacking, an official statement said: 'Given that Mr Amand Ancion failed to fulfil his duties both in terms of his behaviour and performance, the CCA (Central Refereeing Committee) has decided to definitively forego his services.'
The official match report for the Westerlo-Genk game had said Ancion had 'held refereeing up to ridicule.'
Belgian media have reported consistently that Erik Cobbaert, the fourth official in the Mouscron-Charleroi game, wrote to the CCA claiming that Ancion tried to persuade him to give testimony saying he had been forced to announce his resignation after the match.