Referee attacked at Chesham United vs Redditch game

This was the shocking scene from todays game according to a member of the crowd

I believe one of our players was shoved down (Bartley) for a penalty by the Redditch number 9, there was then a con flab where both sets of players were surrounding the ref, the Redditch 9 then proceeded to punch the referee. After being restrained, he then ran up to the changing room, slammed at least one door and a number of club officials and stewards followed them.

The referee then suspended the match, after much discussion the players returned to the changing room. I was standing next to 2 FA Officials who were friends of the ref. I asked them if the game needed to be called off and one of them went in to speak to the referee, however the game was eventually called off. The police also arrived at the ground and arrested the player.

official Redditch site comments

Following an incident on the pitch at today’s Chesham United match where Josh McKenzie hit the referee and as a result the match was abandoned, Redditch United Football Club took immediate action to deal with this isolated incident. Within minutes of the incident the Club has canceled the players registration has stated that he will never play for the Club again.

“We pride ourselves on fair play and will not tolerate this kind of behaviour. The team has worked very hard over the past few weeks and we will not let this one individual tarnish the reputation of our much loved Club.”

correct discsion,
it sets ou the right messages. it is fully down to the ref if the game goes ahead,
im a ref and if physicaly attacked i would have called it ,off.
and good job redditch,setting the right example, violence should not be condoned in this sport espsecially toward an official

mckenzie did an interview on SSN and said he didnt punch the ref he "pushed him", it may not be so sevre but its still abusing the ref isnt it?.
sure another team will pick him up but may have to go down a few level(wessex standard)

unfortunately there's about 300 people at the ground who said otherwise but even so why put your hands on the ref its only going to end badly for you

Unfortunately it isnt really a surprise that something like this has happened. How much respect has a referee ever commanded in football. There are always intimadatory attempts with the gang crowding etc. Footballers seem to think it is acceptable to swear at a ref (I have also done this when playing) so are always pushing the boundaries of what is acceptable. Hopefully this will see a major clamp down in terms of any form of abuse towards officials

Update on the Southern leagues decision over what should happen with the game.

Chesham and Redditch match will be replayed on the 6th of December

To me this seems a disgraceful decision what their saying is if your losing send on a sub punch the ref get it abandoned and try again in a few weeks time.

life time ban. piece of scum should never be allowed to be involved in football again. unfortunately this kind of thing is not totally uncommon at the lowest levels of the game.

TopHat24/7 wrote:life time ban. piece of scum should never be allowed to be involved in football again. unfortunately this kind of thing is not totally uncommon at the lowest levels of the game.

to be fair this is a very high level,
think its 7th tier
same as weymouth 3rd bestteam in dorset,(man my county sucks)
BPL
CH
L1
L2
BS
BSS/BSN
SPD/NPD

crazy that that happened, good to see the club stamping down on it.

Appeal at the FA today.. Lets all hope for common sense

I certainly hope so but then again when have FA's ever had common sense

Appeal Upheld www dot cheshamunited dot co dot uk

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