Brazilian referee robbed at gunpoint on way to match

RIO DE JANEIRO, March 7 (Reuters) - Referee Marcelo de Lima was robbed at gunpoint with his family as he drove to the Maracana stadium to take charge of the Flamengo v Madureira match on Wednesday.

Lima, who was with his wife and three children, said he was leaving the housing estate where he lives in the Itaborai district near Rio de Janeiro when his car was ambushed by two armed youths.

The youths got in and forced him to drive to a deserted area before stealing the car.

"They took everything: mobile phone, wallet and the car itself," Lima told Radio Globo. "But I asked them not to take my kit for the game."

Lima awarded one penalty during the match which Flamengo won 4-1 to win the first stage of the Carioca championship.

Rio, which is due to host the Pan American Games in July, and the surrounding area is plagued by violent crime.

Updated on Wednesday, Mar 7, 2007 9:56 pm EST