Iceland flashback for England as Damir Skomina referees Belgium clash
Skomina also sent off Rob Green in 2009 when England were beaten by Ukraine.
England will have a reminder of their painful loss to Iceland when they face Belgium after Slovenia referee Damir Skomina was appointed for Thursday’s World Cup clash.
Skomina was the man in the middle for one of the Three Lions’ most embarrassing nights as Roy Hodgson’s side crashed out of Euro 2016, though they were awarded an early penalty that Wayne Rooney converted.
Skomina was also in charge of Belgium’s Euro 2016 quarter-final loss to Wales when he dished out a total of six yellow cards.
The 41-year-old was the first referee to brandish a red card in this World Cup as he dismissed Colombia’s Carlos Sanchez for deliberate handball and gave Japan a penalty in their 2-1 success.
Prior to this tournament, Skomina also refereed the second leg of Liverpool’s Champions League semi-final with Roma last month when he gave the Italians a late penalty in a 4-2 victory that was not enough to prevent Jurgen Klopp’s men reaching the final.
Roma sporting director Monchi argued after the game that his team should have had two further penalties and that Liverpool were fortunate not to have a man sent off.
Skomina has dismissed an England player before as he sent off goalkeeper Rob Green in a 1-0 loss to Ukraine in 2009.
