Former Premier League referee dies after cancer battle

Former referee Paul Alcock in a past game [Photo: Courtesy]

Former Premier League referee Paul Alcock has died aged 64 following a battle with cancer.

The official is famed for sending off Paulo Di Canio in a match between Sheffield Wednesday and Arsenal at Hillsborough in 1998.

Italian Di Canio pushed Alcock to the ground after being given his marching orders in one of the most infamous moments in Premier League history.

Alcock passed away on Monday at Maidstone Hospital in Kent two years on from being diagnosed with cancer.

He will be forever remembered for the Di Canio incident with his theatrical fall still replayed on television to this day.

Di Canio had only been in English football for just one season following a £4.2million switch from Celtic.

Alcock was still holding the red card as he fell to the ground, taking several steps backwards before eventually hitting the deck.

Di Canio turned away and stormed down the tunnel following a confrontation with Nigel Winterburn.