Champions League referee accused of threatening to kill a player axed from match and facing month-long Serie A suspension

According to Italian publication Corriere della Serra, referee Fabio Maresca was accused of making the threat by Khaled Al Murshed in a Kuwait Premier League match between Al Kuwait and Al Arabi last week.

Al Murshed has claimed Maresca said: "See you next time, I'll kill you", though another player reportedly believes the referee said: "See you next time". The official, who has been involved in European football matches for six years, is said to have insisted it was just a joke but a punishment has now come his way.

As a result, Maresca is reportedly set to be banned from officiating in Italy for a month. The 43-year-old was also removed from being the fourth official in Tuesday's Champions League tie between PSV and Sporting CP.

However, the referee, who has been officiating in Italian football since 2011, won't be punished in Kuwait as the incident was seen as 'on-field diplomacy'. That means he could be officiating on matches very soon.