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Linesman punch claim at kids’ football match (From The Argus)
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Linesman punch claim at Sussex kids’ football match
11:20am Saturday 20th October 2012 in News By Anna Roberts, Crime reporter
Police were called to a children’s football match after one of the linesmen allegedly punched a supporting father in the face.
The violent row is believed to have broken out after the dad called one of the assistant referees “a cheat” because he disallowed a goal at the under 11s match.
The game pitted young players from Crawley United against Oakwood Football Club, based in Maidenbower, Crawley.
A Sussex Police spokesman said: “Police were called to a children’s football match at Oakwood Football Club, Crawley, following a report that a 41-year-old man had been assaulted by the linesman.
“Officers arrived shortly before 1pm and the incident had appeared to have been resolved. The injured man declined medical attention.”
A Sussex FA spokesman added: “We have had a report of the alleged incident last Sunday (October 14).
“In accordance with FA regulations we will be investigating the report.
“Once everything is received we will consider whether charges are applicable.”
Nick Brown, who witnessed the incident, wrote on Twitter at the time: “I’m at a youth game at Oakwood and the game has been stopped because the linesman just punched a dad. It’s a U11 game.”
Mr Brown, who describes himself as Sussex and Kent Development Officer for Chelsea FC Foundation and Lewes FC assistant first team coach, did not want to comment further yesterday (October 19).
Sussex FA report
A spokesman from Oakwood FC said he had been told by Sussex FA not to talk about the incident.
He added: “We will wait until we have got the reports.”
Potential altercation Ken Benham, chief executive of Sussex FA, said: “There has been an allegation that there was a dispute between the assistant referee and a parent.
“There was a potential altercation after that but we don’t have evidence for that yet as the referee did not see it.
“We have the referee’s report and we are waiting for the club’s correspondence.
“Both clubs are well run clubs and I don’t recall anything of this particular nature happening before.”
If found guilty an individual could be suspended and the club could be fined.
Following the incident, players were taken to the opposite side of the pitch while tensions were calmed, allowing the game to be completed.
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Comments(23)
Maxwell's Ghost
says...
11:39am Sat 20 Oct 12
One of the mums should have whalloped him.
den2il
says...
12:02pm Sat 20 Oct 12
What, with her potbelly, tattoos and Argos earrings!
Nathan_Adler
says...
12:57pm Sat 20 Oct 12
I bet 50 pence the dad is at least 7 from the following 10. :
1. An absent father who was only there because it doesn't cost him anything
2. Tattooed
3. A smoker
4. Unemployed and on "fake" sickness benefit
5. Has a conviction for hitting women
6. Has (or has pawned) a gold sovereign ring
7 Is not a racist but...........
8. Drives without insurance
9. Blames society for everything
10. Have rows with neighbors
Or he could just be a nice fella who has been viciously assaulted.
ICantThinkOfAName
says...
1:59pm Sat 20 Oct 12
Brightonlad86
says...
2:06pm Sat 20 Oct 12
ICantThinkOfAName wrote:Spot on!! I also run a team and I am also secretary with a club and I have experienced similar problems when needing volunteers!!
I my long experience of involvement with boys football as secretary, chairman, manager, referee and linesman I have found that problem parents do not fit any special class or social group. The one thing they have is common is they always know better than the match officials but are never ever willing to actually take any sort of role.
Quick to moan but never help!!!
Tammy Flugh
says...
2:28pm Sat 20 Oct 12
What?
Bill in Hanover
says...
2:38pm Sat 20 Oct 12
Maxwell's Ghost
says...
4:21pm Sat 20 Oct 12
I cannot tell you how amazing these kids are as soon as the ball goes into play.
I have to say, these kids grow up with a lot of dancing so maybe that's the answer instead of weaving a ball around cones in a sports hall on a damp Sunday.
Plantpot
says...
4:34pm Sat 20 Oct 12
Would prefer to see kids involved in both codes of rugby, boxing, martial arts etc. All of which seem to instill discipline and respect.
Cash Bull
says...
5:06pm Sat 20 Oct 12
Maxwell's Ghost wrote:Hmmm Not sure I approve of your method getting to know youngsters.... but I admire your honesty....
I spent a few months in some remote parts of Brazil and Argentina a few years ago and I took along a couple of footballs and a pump because it's always a good way of being welcomed into a community.
I cannot tell you how amazing these kids are as soon as the ball goes into play.
I have to say, these kids grow up with a lot of dancing so maybe that's the answer instead of weaving a ball around cones in a sports hall on a damp Sunday.
bluemonday
says...
5:08pm Sat 20 Oct 12
Plantpot wrote:is that the same rugby and boxing where they gouge each others eyes and bite peoples ears off,yes,such noble sports
I'm so glad to have never been involved with football and its ghastly culture. You can even wear jewellery whilst playing! Would prefer to see kids involved in both codes of rugby, boxing, martial arts etc. All of which seem to instill discipline and respect.
voiceofthescoombe
says...
6:11pm Sat 20 Oct 12
Football a gentlemens gane played by thugs
BHArulz
says...
6:12pm Sat 20 Oct 12
Nathan_Adler wrote:Well I'm 3 of them. Does that make me whatever your trying to portray the dad to be?
Totally agree with the above.
I bet 50 pence the dad is at least 7 from the following 10. :
1. An absent father who was only there because it doesn't cost him anything
2. Tattooed
3. A smoker
4. Unemployed and on "fake" sickness benefit
5. Has a conviction for hitting women
6. Has (or has pawned) a gold sovereign ring
7 Is not a racist but...........
8. Drives without insurance
9. Blames society for everything
10. Have rows with neighbors
Or he could just be a nice fella who has been viciously assaulted.
chrisso
says...
8:14pm Sat 20 Oct 12
Maxwell's Ghost wrote:Be fair - only half the population of Crawley fit that description.
I bet the dad was a pot bellied big mouth....with ear-ring and tattoo.
One of the mums should have whalloped him.
Maxwell's Ghost
says...
11:05pm Sat 20 Oct 12
Capt. Sensiblé
says...
12:10am Sun 21 Oct 12
Capt. Sensiblé
says...
12:15am Sun 21 Oct 12
voiceofthescoombe wrote:In England it is, but it's the opposite in NZ and AUS, believe me
Rugby a thugs game played by gentlemen.
Football a gentlemens gane played by thugs
Cash Cow
says...
5:57am Sun 21 Oct 12
Cash Bull wrote:I agree, a great way to break the ice with other communities. During an Armilla Patrol in 1985, while spending a couple weeks in Mombasa, Kenya, the RN, RM, and RFA entered football teams into a tournament at the Mission, it was great fun and instant untroubled integration with the locals, even though they beat us in their bare feet, those boys were good and football was so special to them, one of the fews ways they could prove themselves.
Maxwell's Ghost wrote:Hmmm Not sure I approve of your method getting to know youngsters.... but I admire your honesty....
I spent a few months in some remote parts of Brazil and Argentina a few years ago and I took along a couple of footballs and a pump because it's always a good way of being welcomed into a community.
I cannot tell you how amazing these kids are as soon as the ball goes into play.
I have to say, these kids grow up with a lot of dancing so maybe that's the answer instead of weaving a ball around cones in a sports hall on a damp Sunday.
Jimmy Stewart's Imaginary Rabbit
says...
6:48am Sun 21 Oct 12
Nathan_Adler wrote:Like others I've been involved with boys' football (including refereeing and running the line) and there's a good chance he doesn't fall into any of those categories. I've seen mild-mannered middle-class Conservative voters screaming abuse at officials and several situations defused before punches were thrown
Totally agree with the above.
I bet 50 pence the dad is at least 7 from the following 10. :
1. An absent father who was only there because it doesn't cost him anything
2. Tattooed
3. A smoker
4. Unemployed and on "fake" sickness benefit
5. Has a conviction for hitting women
6. Has (or has pawned) a gold sovereign ring
7 Is not a racist but...........
8. Drives without insurance
9. Blames society for everything
10. Have rows with neighbors
Or he could just be a nice fella who has been viciously assaulted.
Football for young boys is far too competitive. Scrap the leagues (an under-11s match shouldn't even NEED a linesman seeing as it should be about development) and the problem of over-competitive parents will disappear. And who knows, perhaps England might even develop a few decent adult footballers who can pass the ball to each other.
Cash Bull
says...
11:11am Sun 21 Oct 12
Nathan_Adler wrote:1, 4, 6 and 8 do not apply to me so I am the winner of the 50p
Totally agree with the above.
I bet 50 pence the dad is at least 7 from the following 10. :
1. An absent father who was only there because it doesn't cost him anything
2. Tattooed
3. A smoker
4. Unemployed and on "fake" sickness benefit
5. Has a conviction for hitting women
6. Has (or has pawned) a gold sovereign ring
7 Is not a racist but...........
8. Drives without insurance
9. Blames society for everything
10. Have rows with neighbors
Or he could just be a nice fella who has been viciously assaulted.
(I am assuming Half Sovereigns do not count?)
hubby
says...
6:24pm Sun 21 Oct 12
Fairfax Sakes
says...
12:16pm Mon 22 Oct 12
Brightonlad86 wrote:"Quick to moan but never to help"
ICantThinkOfAName wrote:Spot on!! I also run a team and I am also secretary with a club and I have experienced similar problems when needing volunteers!!
I my long experience of involvement with boys football as secretary, chairman, manager, referee and linesman I have found that problem parents do not fit any special class or social group. The one thing they have is common is they always know better than the match officials but are never ever willing to actually take any sort of role.
Quick to moan but never help!!!
Yep, sounds like most web comments contributors to me.
Cash Bull says...
11:24am Sat 20 Oct 12