A junior football coach has been suspended after being accused of head butting a referee at an under 12s match in Leeds.And police and the Football Association both launched inquiries into the incident.
Jonathan Rimmington, 44, says he is fighting to clear his name after what he describes as a stand-off with the match official.
The dad-of-two was quizzed by police over the allegations but has been cleared by them of any wrong-doing.
However the FA has banned him from taking charge of his Rothwell Juniors under 12s team since the incident on February 14.
Mr Rimmington has now appointed a solicitor ahead of an FA disciplinary hearing in a bid to get the ban overturned and clear his name.
He denies the attack, instead claiming he was left injured in the clash.
Mr Rimmington, from Birstall, told the YEP: “The whole affair is an absolutely disgraceful advertisement for junior football in this city.
“I have been cleared by the police but it still feels like a case of me being guilty until proved innocent because of this FA ban.”
Trouble flared after Mr Rimmington was ordered to leave the pitch after he went on to help one of his injured players.
The game, played at Springbank Primary School, Farsley, between Farsley Celtic and Rothwell was abandoned six minutes into the match because of the injury.
The later incident is alleged to have happened when Mr Rimmington approached the referee on the road next to pitch as he went to his car.
Mr Rimmington added that problems started earlier: “The grass was six inches long on the pitch and there were holes all over the place.
“I felt it wasn’t safe and told the referee but he just told me to go away and I think we got off on the wrong footing from the start.
“We are in charge of growing lads and have to look after them properly, they are always my main concern.
“This has really upset them. They are getting a lot of stick because of what has happened.”
A West Yorkshire Police spokesman confirmed the matter had been investigated and a file was passed to the Crown Prosecution Service but no further action was taken. John Riorden, governance manger for the West Riding County FA, said: “A disciplinary hearing was set up but Mr Rimmington was not available to attend. Another hearing will be arranged at a more convenient time so the matter can be dealt with.
The YEP reported two years ago how Mr Rimmington’s team, then an under 10s said, were dubbed the ‘mini Arsenal’ because of their success in the Garforth and District junior football league.
They were unbeaten and won the league with eight games to spare.
More than half the team trained with the Leeds United academy and scouts from professional clubs were regularly spotted watching from the touchlines at their home games.
Professional clubs including Manchester City, Oldham and Sheffield United have already expressed an interest in the several of the talented crop of youngsters.
Yorkshire Evening Post