A football referee has been cautioned and warned as to his future conduct by the Oxfordshire FA after stepping in to break up an altercation in a youth match.

Tom Rafferty, from Witney, admitted a charge of improper conduct after pulling Kennington Boys FC player Michael Brooks away by the shirt.

It came following a scuffle between Witney goalkeeper Matt Claridge and another Kennington lad in the Oxfordshire Invitation Youth Under 17B League game on October 31 last year.

Trouble flared again after the game when Rafferty, who had volunteered to take charge of the game, and spectator Paul Brooks, Michael's father, were involved in a fight.

Kennington Boys FC were charged by the Berks & Bucks FA, and were warned about their future conduct following the incident involving Paul Brooks.

Rafferty was ordered to pay £20 in costs, while Kennington were ordered to pay £30.

No action was taken against Witney United.

Rafferty described the OFA hearing as "a bit pathetic."

And he added: "Their words were 'we believe what you say, but we still find you guilty because you admit you put a hand on the boy's shirt'.

"I am just glad it is all out of the way, and that is the long and short of it."

Now Rafferty has vowed to never to referee a youth match again. "I would do adults, but I would never do kids again," he said.

Kennington secretary Tracey Haslam commented: "We would like the matter to be put to rest and believe Witney would want that too."