Blazevic banned for three months for hitting referee
ZAGREB, March 23 (AFP) - Iran's former
World Cup coach Miroslav Blazevic has been banned for three months for
attacking a referee after a Croatian league inquiry, the Vecernji List
newspaper reported on Saturday.
Blazevic, who failed to take Iran to the 2002 World Cup finals when his
side lost to the Republic of Ireland in a play-off, had originally been
given a one-month ban after attacking referee Ivan Novak just three days
into his new job at club side Osijek.
The 67-year-old coach hit the referee in the face in fury at the
officiating during his team's 2-1 defeat by Dinamo Zagreb on March 6.
After studying the incident, the league ruled that he should face a
longer punishment and also imposed a fine of 800 euros.
Blazevic led Croatia to the 1998 World Cup semi-finals in France.