ACC severing ties with referee accused of using ethnic slur

The Atlantic Coast Conference is cutting ties with a referee accused of using an ethnic slur during a recent game, according to a report from The News &

The Atlantic Coast Conference is cutting ties with a referee accused of using an ethnic slur during a recent game, according to a report from The News & Observer in Raleigh.

The conference confirmed to the paper that it has terminated its relationship with Karl Hess, who has officiated ACC games for more than two decades and worked several Final Fours and national title games.

The move comes after Hess was accused of using the slur during a recent game between Louisville and Wake Forest at Lawrence Joel Coliseum in Winston-Salem, N.C.

Hess allegedly told a fan that "When I'm older, I want to sit in your seat & watch your Egyptian ass ref a game." The fan, who is of Indian descent, is the CEO of a company that manages hotels and a former Wake Forest trustee.

This is not the first time Hess has been involved in a controversy. He was reprimanded after ejecting former N.C. State stars Tom Gugliotta and Chris Corchiani from a February 2012 game against Florida State.

Hess has also worked games for other conferences, including the Big East.

- Chris Johnson