In the Itertoto match Aston Villa - Celta de Vigo in 2000, Dieter Schoch showed 12 cards and sent off three players. Official protests were sent to UEFA and that match may be the reason for his losing his FIFA badge in 2001. Didi Schoch retired from refereeing in 2002.

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There was much more: Schoch ordered both sides to change clothes before the start, because the "colours clashed" and he had a dispute with Villa officials about socks, he made the players change socks because they had 'AVFC' printed on them twice - only once was permitted. He even checked the keepers' gloves, according to a Villa official.

Schoch caused further consternation by blowing for full time when the stadium clock showed more than two minutes still to play. After protests and being notified by his assistants, he allowed the match to continue, but for too long.

At half-time the Swiss referee called the two captains together and told them that the next foul by either Paul Merson (Villa) or Valery Karpin (Celta) would result in a sending-off.