Japanese officials side with referee over 'death' threat

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese officials have decided a referee accused of using abusive language during a J-League game did not tell a player to "die".

The Japan Football Association (JFA) on Friday rejected claims by Oita Trinita's Taikai Uemoto that match official Yuichi Nishimura had used the word "die" during a game in midweek.

Several players had backed Uemoto's claims but the JFA insisted the decision to dismiss the player's protests had come after a thorough inquiry.

"We are not trying to deny what was heard," JFA general secretary Kozo Tashima told reporters. "We have decided that (the referee) did not use those words."

Trouble flared when Uemoto asked Nishimura why he had not booked an FC Tokyo player for a foul late in the second half of Tuesday's game.

Japanese media reported that several players overheard a furious Nishimura snap back: "Shut up! You keep quiet and get on with the game. Die!"

Uemoto claimed Nishimura had made similar remarks and threatened to book him after the game when the player informed the referee he would be reporting the incident.