LAHORE, June 19: Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) on Saturday suspended national football referee Essa Khan and manager of Wohaib Club Tanvir Zia Butt for violating discipline.

Both Essa and Tanvir beat up referee Dil Nawaz minutes before the start of the match between Wohaib Club and Wapda in the national "A" football league at the Punjab Stadium on June 12.

The incident occurred after MNA Hafiz Salman Butt abused Dil Nawaz and later beat him up. But when Dil Nawaz tried to escape both Essa and Tanvir caught up with him at the main gate and started beating him.

Essa was wearing the official referee's uniform and beat Dil Nawaz with the official flag.

The decision has been forwarded to the PFF presidentFaisal Saleh Hayat.