14 Facts About Anders Frisk

Anders Frisk was born on 18 February 1963 and is a Swedish insurance agent by trade and a former football referee.

Anders Frisk is fluent in several languages including his native Swedish, English and German.

Anders Frisk was born on 18 February 1963 in the Swedish city of Gothenburg, and lives in Molndal, his hometown, where he runs a historic cinema.

Anders Frisk began refereeing in 1978 and took charge of Swedish top-division matches for the first time in 1989.

Anders Frisk travelled to Sierra Leone for a first-hand view of the ICRC's work, and declared himself deeply moved by the scenes of reunited families.

Anders Frisk became a FIFA international referee at the age of 28, his first international match was Iceland against Turkey on 17 July 1991.

Anders Frisk was forced to miss the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France in 1998 with a back injury, but recovered in time to take charge of the 1999 Confederations Cup final between Brazil and Mexico in the Estadio Azteca, Mexico City.

The referee for the Final, Pierluigi Collina, later wrote in his autobiography that Anders Frisk had been the only other official that he had considered to have the credentials to receive the appointment.

Later in 2004, Anders Frisk took charge of the Champions League semi-final, second leg between Chelsea and Monaco.

Anders Frisk appeared at Euro 2004, refereeing the semi-final between Netherlands and Portugal and he was fourth official in the final.

Anders Frisk was seen to be bleeding, and subsequently abandoned the match.

On 12 March 2005, Anders Frisk announced his immediate retirement, citing threats made against his family following a UEFA Champions League tie between Barcelona and Chelsea, during which he sent off Chelsea's Didier Drogba for receiving two cautions.

Chelsea's manager, Jose Mourinho, accused Anders Frisk of inviting Barca manager, Frank Rijkaard, into his room at half-time.

Anders Frisk presided over 118 international games during his 18-year career.