Footballer fined for ‘you’re dead, referee’ tweet

A FOOTBALLER who tweeted “you’re dead, referee” to an official who sent him off was fined £800 yesterday after being told by a sheriff that his “appalling behaviour” didn’t fit with “the beautiful game”.

Picture: Contributed

Gary Greenhill, 28, who played for Dunfermline Athletic and Berwick Rangers, made the remark on Twitter after he was sent off during a “very tense” top-of-the-table junior clash between Perth’s Kinnoull FC and Kirkcaldy Young Men, in the East Central League.

Greenhill also called the referee a “cheating c***” in one tweet sent directly after the match.

During the game in Perth, on 13 April last year, two Kirkcaldy players were sent off by SFA referee Jordan Curran, 22, but trouble “kicked off” when Mr Curran awarded a penalty to Kinnoull.

After receiving abuse from two more Kirkcaldy players, including Greenhill, Mr Curran also gave them red cards.

However, Mr Curran was met with threats from Greenhill, who had to be restrained by his teammates.

Greenhill, who received a 16-match ban by the SFA, was found guilty of causing fear and alarm by tweeting threats to carry out a seriously violent act.

Greenhill denied the tweet was aimed at Mr Curran, claiming he was referring to an Italian referee who had given away a penalty that lost him a bet.

Sheriff Craig McSherry said that he “didn’t for one minute” believe Greenhill’s story.

Greenhill, who received a 16-match ban by the SFA, was found guilty of causing fear and alarm by tweeting threats to carry out a seriously violent act.