6 Referees Ejected From March Madness For Violating COVID-19 Protocols

Six NCAA referees were removed from the upcoming March Madness tournament because they violated COVID-19 protocol.

At least one of the referees tested positive for COVID-19 while the others were "identified as exposure risks due to prolonged close contact," the NCAA said in a statement.

Referees are also not allowed to leave their hotel unless it's to go to an arena.

"Based on tournament protocols and contract tracing with local public health authorities, these officials may not participate in the tournament," the statement said.

The referees leaving the tournament are Ted Valentine, John Higgins, Roger Ayers, John Gaffney, Kipp Kissinger, Ray Natili.

All of the officials arrived at their Indianapolis hotel by Sunday night, but their rooms were not ready and there wasn't food available, Stadium reported. So the group went to Harry & Izzy’s steakhouse for dinner.

They took COVID-19 tests after returning to their hotel, and one man tested positive.

The Indiana Department of Health also declared the six men unable to work at the tournament because they were eating together and weren't wearing masks.

The NCAA has a strict COVID-19 protocol in place to prevent players, coaches, and staff members from getting sick, CBS Sports reported.

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