Football coach SACKED after linesman is punched during game – as cops arrest man, 43
A FOOTBALL coach has been sacked after a linesman was punched in the face during a match with cops arresting a 43-year-old man.
The chaos broke out during a game between Amlwch Town FC and Penrhyndeudraeth FC in Anglesey on Saturday afternoon.
Footage of the incident has gone viral after being shared on social media, with police having launched an investigation.
Cops confirmed they had arrested a man, 43, after the shocking footage emerged.
He was released on bail but North Wales cops are vowing to enquire further.
Now, Amlwch Town FC have confirmed that the football coach involved in the incident has been sacked.
The club said that they “immediately severed all ties with the coach concerned”.
The video, taken from a camera above the dugouts, shows a man walking towards the linesman – who is carrying a flag and wearing a brightly-coloured bib.
The man, believed to be a coach of one of the teams, is then seen to punch the linesman, sending him hurtling to the floor.
Several furious players then made their way to the dugouts after spotting the punch, before the footage cuts out.
An Amlwch Town FC statement read: “As a club we have been truly saddened by the events on the weekend.
“We unreservedly apologise to all at CPD Penrhyndeudraeth but nobody more so than the substitute/acting linesman who was allegedly assaulted by a member of our coaching team.
“As a club, we condemn such behaviour and have immediately severed all ties with the coach concerned.
“We will co-operate with all investigations with NWP, NWCFA and FAW to ensure that the correct action is taken by all parties.
“This club is run by a tight knit team of volunteers who, alongside their full time jobs are not accustomed to incidents such as this, this level of scrutiny and nationwide publicity.
“It was for this reason that the initial statement was released with very little detail but we felt as though making some statement was better than none.
“It is not fair to tarnish the players, coaches, volunteers and supporters with the same brush due to the actions of one individual.
“We won’t be making any further comment on the matter until such time as any investigation is concluded and hope, if permitted, to finish the season for the remaining players who have not committed any wrongdoing.”
Detective Chief Inspector Andrew Gibson said: “Our investigations into the incident are ongoing.
“We are liaising closely with North Wales Coast Football Association and urge people not to speculate or further share footage which is currently being circulated on social media to avoid potentially prejudicing any legal proceeding.”
Do you have more information about the incident? Contact jamie.phillips@thesun.co.uk
A spokesman for North Wales Police told The Sun: “We can confirm that we are currently investigating an assault which occurred at Amlwch Town FC’s grounds on Saturday, April 27.
“We can also confirm that we are aware of the footage which is being circulated on social media and ask that people do not share to avoid potentially prejudicing any legal proceedings.
“Police enquiries continue and we are urging anybody who may have mobile phone footage showing the incident to contact us as soon as possible quoting reference number 24000385680.”
North Wales Coast Football Association said it is aware of the footage but would not be commenting at this stage.
A post on Amlwch Town FC’s Facebook said: “Given that there are further investigations pending, it would not be appropriate for us to comment at this time.”
In their own Facebook post, Penrhyndeudraeth FC added: “A fantastic result and performance from the lads today.
Unfortunately, the game was marred by the incident which occurred approximately 15 minutes into the game.
“The Club will not be making any further comments but will support the player as the matter has been reported to the police.”