Bobby Madley (pictured) was sacked as referee for posting an offensive Snapchat message which discriminated against disabled people, it has been claimed

Bobby Madley was sacked as a Premier League referee for posting an offensive Snapchat message which discriminated against disabled people, it has been claimed.

The referees' body PGMOL announced earlier this month that Madley would no longer be officiating matches 'due to a change in personal circumstances'.

Now it has been reported that Madley shared a picture of a disabled man with an offensive comment about beating him in a school sports day race.

A follower screenshotted the picture and sent it to Madley's bosses, leading the top-flight official to be fired, according to The Sun.

The 32-year-old referee is in talks to officiate matches in Norway where he is reportedly planning to emigrate with his Scandinavian partner.

Top Norwegian referee Terje Hauge told TV 2 that Madley was open to officiating games for the Eliteserien, Norway's professional football league.

Madley's family were forced to respond after wild rumours circulated on the internet, labelling them 'utter rubbish'.

But they confirmed that he and wife Rachel, 34, have split after two years of marriage.

Madley had been deemed one of the best referees in the country, with the potential to become one of Europe's elite. He was elevated to the FIFA list last year.

Hailing from Halifax, West Yorkshire, he had refereed 91 matches in the top flight over the past five seasons.

Madley (pictured) had been deemed one of the best referees in the country, with the potential to become one of Europe's elite. He was elevated to the FIFA list last year

The 32-year-old missed the opening weekend of fixtures after failing to show up for the mandatory pre-season referees meeting at St George's Park where they are briefed and prepared.

The PGMOL had 18 referees for the new Premier League season but that will now be limited to just 17.

They released a statement following his absence in which they confirmed his resignation.

It read: 'Bobby Madley is no longer employed by PGMOL.

'We understand that he has decided to relocate due to a change in his personal circumstances.'