Champions League referee speaks on arrest after raid on prostitute, drug ring

Slovenian referee, Slavko Vincic has spoken out after he was arrested during a raid carried out on a prostitution and drug ring.

The 40-year old was arrested with nine women, 26 men, cocaine and a cache of weapons.

The referee who officiated the Champions League game between Genk and Liverpool was arrested alongside Tijana Maksimovic who is believed to be the leader of the prostitute ring.

Bijeljina police said: "During the search of the house and vehicles used by the suspects, 14 packages of cocaine, ten pistols, three suits of body armour, over 10,000 euros (£8,996) in various currencies, phones and laptops were found and seized."

Vincic who has regained his freedom said he just happened to be at the party by chance after he was invited for a business meeting.

He told Slovenian news outlet Vecer: "I found myself on this ranch by chance. I have my own company, I was in Bosnia and Herzegovina for a business meeting.

"I accepted an invitation to lunch, which turned out to be my biggest mistake. I regret it.

"I was sitting at a table with my company, all of a sudden the police came and what happened, happened.

"I have nothing to do with the group that was arrested and detained, nor do my business partners.

"Yes, they really took us to the police, asked as witnesses, when it turned out that we didn't even know them, we were able to go."

According to Vlado Sajn, the president of the Association of Football Referees of Slovenia, Vincic was simply at the wrong place at the wrong time.

He said: "According to the information we gathered from official and unofficial sources, and last but not least from Slavko himself, he is not suspected of anything, no proceedings have been instituted against him.

"He found himself in this place at the wrong time. He was invited to a party where there was a large group of people - he did not know the vast majority.

"There was a raid, 15 people were arrested, and all the others were allegedly brought to the police station to testify as witnesses.

"Slavko is already in Slovenia. I consider this story to be a web of unfortunate circumstances."