Manchester United have reported Europa League referee Manuel Grafe to UEFA for refusing to be searched before the Europa League game with Feyenoord.
The German official arrived at Old Trafford with the rest of his team two hours before kick-off. But when security stopped Berlin-based Grafe at the entrance for players and officials to search him and his bag he refused. The 43-year-old Bundesliga referee said he was an UEFA-endorsed match official and was not required to be searched on entering any ground. Staff from Controlled Event Solutions, who operate security both inside and outside Old Trafford, explained searches were mandatory for all visitors. Grafe still refused and made his way to the referee’s room with his team. United’s chief security officer was called, and Grafe was reported to Estonian Alnar Leppanen, UEFA’s match delegate for the night. It is believed Grafe later apologised to staff, but claimed he had never been asked to submit to a search while on referee duty. Fans, match-day staff, media and directors are all searched if requested – with United sensitive about security having suffered high-profile recent breaches.
Source: Mirror