Player handed 16-match ban after referee confrontation

A Corio SC player has been handed a significant suspension by Football Victoria following an incident involving a match official that led to the abandonment of a game.

Football Victoria’s Tribunal found Corio’s Zabihollah Nazari guilty of intimidating and threatening conduct towards the referee after reviewing VEO footage of the incident.

According to the Tribunal’s determination, Nazari intentionally followed and confronted the official in an “intimidating and aggressive manner”, forcing the referee to step backwards before the match was ultimately abandoned.

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As part of the ruling, Nazari was suspended for 16 matches and must complete an anger management course before being eligible to return to football.

The Tribunal also imposed broader sanctions on Corio SC, ruling that every senior player, reserves player and team official at the club must complete Football Victoria’s Respect and Responsibility course before Nazari can resume playing.

The incident adds to Football Victoria’s ongoing push to crack down on abuse and intimidation directed towards referees across the local game.