Football team forced to resign

A BEDWORTH football team has been forced to resign from Nuneaton and District’s Sunday league amid claims of an attack on a referee.

The Telegraph understands that Old Black Bank FC have resigned from Division Two of the Nuneaton and District Sunday Football League (NDSFL) following alleged reports of an attack on a referee.

The alleged attack came when Old Black Bank FC took on FC Jollys in a league game in Nuneaton on February 11.

Andy Baggott, who is the vice chairman of the Nuneaton and District Sunday League, said: “We are aware of the alleged incident which occurred on February 11 and the team involved have subsequently resigned from the league.

“The Birmingham and County FA are dealing with the player in question and all efforts will be made to help stamp out this kind of thing from the league.

“We are aware it is the second time an incident like this has alleged to have taken place and we take all attacks on officials seriously. “As a league we have warned teams that they will have to leave the league as a consequence and that has happened on this occasion. “We are glad to hear that the referee is fine and we have made contact with him in regard to the situation.” It is not the first time that ugly scenes have broken out at NDSFL game because, last year, a player was prosecuted for attacking a referee during a game. But the NDSFL is determined to ensure that mindless actions of individuals do not tarnish the reputations of the rest of the law abiding players, as well as the league itself. The NDSFL cannot impose fines or suspension on players who are found guilty of on or off field offences, that is down to the Birmingham County Football Association (BCFA). “We have had meetings with the clubs about their future conduct and they are all aware of what the consequences will be if there is a repeat of this,” Mr Baggott added.