Clubs face bans after fists fly in derby tie (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Clubs face bans after fists fly in derby tie

BIDDESTONE Arms and AC Soho are facing expulsion from the Chippenham Sunday League after a mass brawl brought a premature halt to their match at the weekend.

Referee Keith Bridge abandoned the Division Two match after ugly scenes in the 55th minute of Sunday's match, with Biddestone Arms leading 1-0.

Players from both sides are alleged to have waded in with punches after an incident between Soho striker Marcus Young and one of the Biddestone Arms' players.

A player from each side was dismissed for violent conduct and Young was left with a broken nose as Bridge decided to end the game.

The Wiltshire FA would not reveal what was included in the referee's report but have said the clubs could face losing their affiliation to the FA.

Mike Benson, secretary of the Wiltshire FA, said: "I can't say what their punishment will be as that will be left to the commission.

"They may get fines or suspensions but they may lose their affiliation to the FA."

Biddestone Arms' manager Kevin Woolford was full of remorse for the incident.

He said: "We can only apologise to the owners of the Biddestone Arms because there is no way we want this to be linked to them.

"I am not really allowed to comment on the situation but all I will say is that none of our players have ever received a caution for violent conduct or abusive language before."

AC Soho manager Alan Davies said: "It would be a great shame if we get kicked out of the league and the players can't play football any more."

Both teams have been charged with improper conduct and have 14 days to appeal to the FA before a date is set for their disciplinary hearings.

The Chippenham and District Sunday League have refused to comment on the incident until the Wiltshire FA's discipline hearings.