EuroLeague referee caught stealing at an airport, detained / News - Basketnews.com

Boltauzer took a Tom Ford bottle of perfume at the Belgrade Airport and was arrested for it. He reportedly admitted his wrongdoing upon getting detained. The referee refused to comment about it.

Credit: Panagiotis Moschandreou/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images Credit Panagiotis Moschandreou/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

EuroLeague referee Matej Boltauzer was caught stealing at the Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport.

According to Republika.rs, the Slovenian referee stole a Tom Ford bottle of perfume, valued at 221€, in the Duty-Free section of the airport on December 5th, 2023, following a EuroLeague game between Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade and AS Monaco.

Boltauzer was detained for the robbery at the shop before he was able to leave the airport, Republika notes. In the security footage Republic acquired, the referee can be seen putting the perfume packaging into his coat.

According to BasketNews sources, the EuroLeague has started a disciplinary procedure against Boltauzer and is gathering all information at the moment.

Republika claims Boltauzer admitted his wrongdoing upon getting arrested.

The Serbian outlet contacted the referee about the matter. "I don't know anything about that. I'm sorry, I can't talk," he said when asked about it.

Republika claim they sent the video footage to Boltauzer but didn't receive an answer.

49-year-old Boltauzer is one of the most accomplished European referees, working internationally since 2003, according to BGBasket.

Boltauzer worked in Game 1 between Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens and Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv this week, a game that received tremendous scrutiny from coach Ergin Ataman and PAO owner Dimitris Giannakopoulos.

Thank you for being with us! Subscribe to BN+ and browse ad-free.