THE Oxfordshire FA are charging a 14-year-old who struck the referee during the B-Line Oxford Boys League game between Carterton Town and Oxford Blackbirds on Sunday.

The match was abandoned after 20 minutes following the attack.

David Hovard, the OFA's disciplinary secretary, confirmed that he has received the referee's report from the match, and that a player from Oxford Blackbirds was due to be issued with a charge today.

"The player now has 14 days to answer, and is entitled to request a hearing or accept the charges," he said.

"Only the player's club will be directly involved," Hovard added, "even though supporters and players from both sides were involved.

"It seems to me that they were only trying to stop the situation."

Oxford Blackbird's manager, Nigel Medlock, declined to comment on the incident until he had studied a copy of the referee's report.

Meanwhile, Thame United manager Andy Sinnott has spoken of his shock after a Leighton Town player attacked High Wycombe referee Paul Randell during Saturday's Ryman Division 2 match at Windmill Road. Former England U18 triallist Lee Campbell knocked the referee to the ground after being shown the red card, and the match was held up for ten minutes while the official received treatment.

Sinnott, who was a player with Oxford City for many years, said: "I have certainly never seen anything like that before.

"The closest thing to it was the Paulo Di Canio incident, but that was obviously a national issue.

"It really was quite bizarre. The incident meant that an eerie atmosphere was over the rest of the game, and this took away all the enjoyment of our win."

Sinnott added: "The penalty must now fit the crime. Referees have a hard enough time of it anyway, without having the risk of being attacked.

"If anybody acted in that manner at this club, they would certainly not play for Thame United again."

The FA disciplinary commitee are awaiting reports, but say they are aware of the incident.

Story date: Thursday 18 February

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