Ex-FIFA ref caught with heroin

Berlin - Former World Cup referee Byron Moreno has been caught trying to smuggle heroin in his underpants, Italian and Ecuadorian media reported on Wednesday.

The 40-year-old former referee, who ended his refereeing career in 2003, was arrested after trying to go through a security check at New York's JFK airport.

Rainews said that Moreno had six kilograms of heroin on him at the time.

Moreno was involved in several controversial matches during his time as a referee and Italian fans are still angry with him after he sent off Francesco Totti and failed to give a goal for Italy in their match against South Korea at the 2002 World Cup.

He did not referee any international matches thereafter.

A few months after the World Cup game, Moreno was accused of irregularity during a league game in Ecuador between Liga de Quito and Barcelona SC Guayaquil.

Barcelona SC Guayaquil were leading 3-2 and although six minutes of injury time was shown, Moreno allowed 12 minutes, giving Quito the chance to win 4-3.

Moreno received a 20 match-ban, but was later pardoned. He retired shortly afterwards and has since been working as a TV commentator.