Investigation after referee assaulted

A FOOTBALL centre in Cardiff has criticised a player after a referee was assaulted during a match.

The GÔl Football Centre, in Lawrenny Avenue, Canton , posted a message on its Facebook account, saying it had reported the player to the police following the incident.

It also said they would be introducing stricter penalties against players who flouted the rules.

The post said: “Some of you are aware of an assault on one of our referees on Monday night.

“Firstly, we’d like to reassure you that the referee concerned is ok.

“In over 12-and-and-half years of providing five and seven-a-side football leagues in Cardiff this is the first assault on a referee in our centre and it will simply not be tolerated.

“We have reported the incident to the police, make no apologies for doing so and hope the culprit is given what he deserves.

“[The] incident means that we have reassessed our disciplinary procedures (which is already far stricter than seen at other football centres or in 11-a-side football. The penalties for threats and intimidation of players and referees will be increasing and the threats for assaults will be life means life bans.

A spokesperson from South Wales Police said: “South Wales Police is investigating an assault at the GÔl Centre in Llawrenny Avenue, Canton, on Monday night.

“Anyone with information is asked to call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting occurrence number *307711.”