Iconic Moments in Football No.71
Referee Andy D’Urso became a Football League referee in 1994 before getting promoted to the Premier League in 1999. He made front and back page news in his first season in England’s top flight in an incident that features as this week’s ‘Iconic Moment’.
D’Urso was appointed as the man in charge of the Premier League match between champions Manchester United and Middlesbrough at Old Trafford on 29th January 2000. It was his first time officiating a Manchester United match and his first at Old Trafford.
The game was goalless and largely uneventful until Middlesbrough’s Juninho raced through on goal and was knocked to the ground by United defender Jaap Stam. Referee Andy D’Urso ran into the penalty area and pointed to the penalty spot. This decision started one of the ugliest moments in Premier League history.
Six Manchester United players surrounded D’Urso. Stam, David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs, Dennis Irwin all chased after D’Urso shouting their displeasure at his decision to award the penalty.
The sixth United player to join the protests was club captain Roy Keane. He was the fourth of the six to confront D’Urso and was apoplectic. Keane barged Nicky Butt to one side and was inches away from the referee’s face, screaming. The Irishman followed D’Urso as he tried to escape the players before Beckham and Irwin had to pull him away.
After the incident had calmed down, Middlesbrough still had a penalty. Juninho dusted himself down and stood over the ball but after D’Urso’s whistle, he stepped up and his penalty was saved by Mark Bosnich.
David Beckham scored a winner in the 87th minute to give Manchester United the three points but the match would sadly only be remembered for the disgraceful behaviour of the United players towards Andy D’Urso.
About Author
