Football: Dutch referee replaced

PHILIP DON, of Hanworth Park, Middlesex, will referee the European Cup final between Milan and Barcelona on 18 May, replacing the Dutchman John Blankenstein.

Blankenstein has received death threats from Italy, as the Barcelona coach Johan Cruyff and the defender Ronald Koeman are also from the Netherlands. Uefa, European football's governing body, said in a statement it 'had received recently a number of serious death threats from Italy'. The statement added Uefa was acting for reasons of security and the decision in no way questioned Blankenstein's ability.

Don will also officiate at the World Cup finals.