Referee in priceless reaction as he realises he’s blown final whistle a minute EARLY
REFEREE Giuseppe Mucera stunned Italian football fans by restarting a match in stoppage time after realising he had blown the final whistle too early.
It came when Vicenza hosted Arzignano Valchiampo in a Serie C game on Sunday.
The 10-man visitors lead 3-2 heading into the closing stages as they looked to hold onto their advantage.
But with one minute remaining Vicenza were pressing for an equaliser.
However, referee Mucera then surprisingly blew his whistle to end the game despite there still being 60 seconds left of added time.
The Vicenza players crowded around the official in a fit of rage.
And Mucera initially appeared to ignore the protests from the home players.
Meanwhile, the Arzignano Valchiampo bench had begun to invade the pitch in celebration.
But after realising what he had done, the ref put his hands on his face in an apologetic manner.
He then appeared to say sorry to the players.
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Mucera proceeded to restart the game for the final minute after those who had run onto the pitch were dispersed.
And while the remarkable scene captured headlines, it did not make any difference as the game ended 3-2.
The result extended the hosts’ winless run to four league games as Arizgnano Valchiampo moved up to seventh place in the third tier and within two points of Vicenza.