(Agencies)
Updated: 2007-12-28 17:18

A Malaysian referee took out his gun and fired warning shots in the air after he was attacked following the suspension of a player in a local match, media reported Friday.

The referee, who was also a policeman, was alleged to have fired two shots to disperse the unruly players who mobbed to protest against giving a red card to one of them.

The referee was still under investigation for suspected misuse of firearms although he said that the gun was seized from one of the players.

"We are investigating as to whether the policeman was justified in taking out his firearm and discharging it, and also why he had it with him during the match," said Hussin Ismail, police chief in the southern Johor state, Philippines.

Five players, aged between 23 and 40, were also being held for questioning and could be charged for rioting, a local newspaper said.