A Pan Community FC player who allegedly kicked an opponent in the face during a match last weekend has been permanently banned from the club.
The grossly unsportsmanlike behaviour occurred after the player – who Island Echo is not naming – had been sent off for a 2nd bookable offence in Saturday’s Division 1 game against Sandown & Lake, as first reported by Island Echo.
The player concerned had recently returned from an 8-game ban after a previous incident of serious misconduct earlier in the season.
Pan Community manager Stewart Shepherd has spoken exclusively to Island Echo following Saturday’s incident, which has left him shocked and upset.
Stewart – who has 3 sons playing for Pan – has said:
“I haven’t seen anything like it in over 30 years of playing and coaching football.
“When it happened, I told the lads: ‘I quit’. However, I have been persuaded to carry on.
“It isn’t fair for the actions of 1 person to affect those of 30 men playing the game they love.”
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Stewart adds:
“No matter what the Hampshire or Isle of Wight FA do, the player concerned will play no further part in Pan Community Football Club.
“I would also like to state that the club do not in any way condone his actions on Saturday.
“As a club, we have taken action. So long as I am manager, he’ll never play for us again”.
