Colombian soccer official Oscar Julian Ruiz, currently embroiled in a sexual assault scandal, has been named the third best referee of the 21st century, in a study released Wednesday by the History and Statistics [IFFHS].
Ruiz, who’s accused of groping fellow referee German Sanchez while he was sleeping at his house in 2010, finished behind Germany’s three-times IFFHS Referee of the Year Dr Markus Merk and Uruguayan
Merk’s performance, beating Larrionda by 27 points, is particularly impressive given that the German retired in 2008, while Larrionda still officiates today.
The accusation against Ruiz, which he has vigorously denied, was followed by allegations of a widespread culture of sexual harrassment within the world of Colombian refereeing.