Illinois father accused of posing as ref in HS football playoff game

The father of an Illinois high school football player is being accused in a lawsuit of influencing the outcome of a playoff game in favor of his son's team.

The lawsuit states a parent of a Nazareth Academy player dressed as a referee and was involved with calls made by the officiating crew during a Class 7A quarterfinal between Nazareth and Simeon Career Academy on Nov. 10, Elvia Malagon of the Chicago Tribune reports. Nazareth won the game 34-27.

The lawsuit, filed by the Simeon Alumni Association, the Simeon football team's booster club, and a group of parents, also alleges that the father stood on the sidelines and was spotted in an area where only officials are permitted.

The father reportedly responded to criticism on Facebook after the game, writing, "I did what was needed to make sure Naz won," and, "I didn't make one bad call. I made sure the best team won."

The groups who filed the lawsuit have requested no winner be declared and that the father and referees are banned from officiating future games.