Former referee Brito Arceo has admitted he’s contemplated suicide as his life steers out of control. Aged just 24, Arceo became the youngest-ever referee in La Liga history back in 1987.
After retiring from his refereeing duties in 2000, he went on to become a councilman in his hometown between 2003 and 2011, as well as featuring in his country’s version of Big Brother.
But after being declared bankrupt, Arceo, 55, is on the verge of being evicted from his apartment and regularly visits food banks – such is his crippling financial situation.
In an interview with the Journal of Notices he said: “I am so desperate that I need help. I’m not ashamed to go to the City to ask for food.
“The day I was a finalist in Big Brother, the money that I won was mostly given to the Rural Bank.
“I only got £10,500 in the end. I swear on my family’s life that if I had money now I would pay everything I needed to.”
Arceo’s debts are adding up, with the ex-referee revealing he’s considered taking his own life on multiple occasions.
He added: “Honestly, I have come to think about suicide a lot, because I often wonder what they have done with my life.
“I am not crazy. I have to live through the difficult moments that I am living, above everything else.
“I will never understand those people who put their effort to destroy you with lies.
“For what I have given and how I have behaved with people, I think I have been paid very badly.”