AN investigation has been launched after a referee mysteriously tottered off the pitch during a game, blowing his whistle and waving to the crowd.

AN investigation has been launched after a referee mysteriously tottered off the pitch during a game, blowing his whistle and waving to the crowd.

The bizarre incident happened during a Belarusian Premier League tie between FC Naftan and FC Vitebsk.

The first half of the match passed off without incident, but once half-time was over it became apparent that referee Sergey Shmolik was having problems.

He was escorted off the pitch, blowing his whistle and waving to fans.

Shmolik, who was an official FIFA referee, has reportedly been suspended and is due to face a disciplinary hearing with the Belarusian FA.