Walsall Wood FC say player who punched rival footballer 'reacted instinctively' after 'being spat at'
Walsall Wood have said that they will stand by a player who punched an opposition player.
The identity of the Walsall Wood player has not been released. 29 year old Karl Fellows, the opposition player who broke his jaw in the incident, was punched in the 28th minute of the tie between his team Stourport Swifts. Fellows has said in an interview that he is "too scared" to return to the pitch following the incident.
The club also disputed claims that Mr Fellows was knocked unconscious by the incident, stating that he walked to the dressing room and later to the ground entrance.
“After 28 minutes of the game, a Walsall Wood player was fouled from behind by a Stourport Swifts player,” said Justin Hodgin, chairman of Walsall Wood FC, in a statement.
“This was not his first foul challenge of the game. After the incident, the Walsall Wood player got up and was walking away from the incident towards the goal area past the Stourport player, who then spat on the Walsall Wood player.
“This is confirmed by the referee.
“The Walsall Wood player reacted instinctively and swung out at the Stourport player who fell to the floor. The Walsall Wood player was dismissed and after treatment from his physiotherapist the Stourport player was also shown the red card for spitting.
“He then walked off the pitch to the dressing room area, he was not then unconscious. He later walked from the dressing room to the ground entrance.”
Mr Hodgin said the club does not “condone violence” but would stand by the player involved.
The statement added: “We believe the reaction by the Walsall Wood player was instinctive and absolutely not in keeping with his usual conduct both on and off the pitch.
“In our opinion the incident would never have occurred had our player not been provoked by the initial spitting offence.
“The club will continue to support the player through this difficult time.
“Walsall Wood FC and the player in question regret the incident and are saddened by the injuries incurred by the Stourport player; we sincerely hope both players’ future in football are not affected detrimentally.”
Stourport Swifts chairman Chris Reynolds has revealed he has written to football league officials to complain about the incident.
Mr Hodgin said Walsall Wood FC would “comply with any disciplinary measures given by the FA” after their investigations.
A spokesperson for West Midlands Police confirmed that a 21-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assault at the ground at around 4pm on New Year's Day.
He has since been released on bail and will receive further questioning later this month.
The identity of the Walsall Wood player has not been released. 29 year old Karl Fellows, the opposition player who broke his jaw in the incident, was punched in the 28th minute of the tie between his team Stourport Swifts. Fellows has said in an interview that he is "too scared" to return to the pitch following the incident.
The club also disputed claims that Mr Fellows was knocked unconscious by the incident, stating that he walked to the dressing room and later to the ground entrance.
“After 28 minutes of the game, a Walsall Wood player was fouled from behind by a Stourport Swifts player,” said Justin Hodgin, chairman of Walsall Wood FC, in a statement.
“This was not his first foul challenge of the game. After the incident, the Walsall Wood player got up and was walking away from the incident towards the goal area past the Stourport player, who then spat on the Walsall Wood player.
“This is confirmed by the referee.
“The Walsall Wood player reacted instinctively and swung out at the Stourport player who fell to the floor. The Walsall Wood player was dismissed and after treatment from his physiotherapist the Stourport player was also shown the red card for spitting.
“He then walked off the pitch to the dressing room area, he was not then unconscious. He later walked from the dressing room to the ground entrance.”
Mr Hodgin said the club does not “condone violence” but would stand by the player involved.
The statement added: “We believe the reaction by the Walsall Wood player was instinctive and absolutely not in keeping with his usual conduct both on and off the pitch.
“In our opinion the incident would never have occurred had our player not been provoked by the initial spitting offence.
“The club will continue to support the player through this difficult time.
“Walsall Wood FC and the player in question regret the incident and are saddened by the injuries incurred by the Stourport player; we sincerely hope both players’ future in football are not affected detrimentally.”
Stourport Swifts chairman Chris Reynolds has revealed he has written to football league officials to complain about the incident.
Mr Hodgin said Walsall Wood FC would “comply with any disciplinary measures given by the FA” after their investigations.
A spokesperson for West Midlands Police confirmed that a 21-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assault at the ground at around 4pm on New Year's Day.
He has since been released on bail and will receive further questioning later this month.