Suspension sends out a message (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Suspension sends out a message

11:05am Thursday 7th June 2007 in Football By Nick Mashiter

WILTSHIRE FA secretary Mike Benson wants PJ Simmonds' five year ban to act as a deterrent.

The 33-year-old was handed the suspension and a £250 fine for punching Chippenham official Julian Sattin after being sent off in the Trowbridge & District League Division Two Cup final defeat last month.

The goalkeeper will still not be able to play after that period until the disciplinary committee approve it.

Benson said: "I hope it sends out a message, we are always preaching about long term bans.

"We have had one or two people come back from ten years out and been no trouble. It all depends how they react."

Referee Sattin declined to comment about the incident but Benson said he was officiating the next week. The FA would also have covered costs had he pressed charges.

He said: "It was an assault, not violent conduct, and we wanted him to take it further - but he felt the FA would do enough.

"As a referee he is a representative of the FA and if he had taken any action we would have backed him."