Soccer: Referee who scored for underdogs quits

A referee who gave a team losing 18-1 a helping hand by scoring a goal for them resigned today after being suspended by the Football Association.

Brian Savill, from Colchester, Essex, said the FA showed it had no sense of humour after he learnt the outcome of a hearing.

The 47-year-old scored one of two goals for Wimpole 2000, who were thrashed by Earls Colne Reserves who finished with 20 goals in September.

He was charged with misconduct by bringing the game into disrepute by the Essex County Football Association, he said.

Mr Savill, a Royal Mail manager, disputed the charge at a hearing at the county headquarters in Chelmsford on January 8 when the case was proven against him.

The referee, with 18 years experience, said: ‘‘At the hearing I confirmed my earlier observations that the incident was a spur of the moment action which I could still not really account for.

‘‘Also that it was not something that any other referee should consider doing.

‘‘I anticipated at best ’a slap on the wrist’ and a written warning as to my future conduct as a referee, and at worst a suspended suspension.’’

On Saturday he was told he would be suspended for seven weeks from the end of the month and then faxed his resignation to headquarters.

Mr Savill, who volleyed the ball in with his left foot after it came off a player’s head, said: ‘‘I shouldn’t have done it, but it was done in the best of humour.

‘‘I just can’t accept that they haven’t got a sense of humour.

‘‘Half of me says I do regret doing it because I did not think it would lead to this. But the other half says I’m glad I did because it brought enjoyment to everyone’s lives.

‘‘It shows refereeing can be enjoyable and that we are not Hitlers running around blowing whistles all the time.’’

Mr Savill can appeal to the Football Association in London but said he believes it was pressure from them that ‘‘dictated’’ the county’s decision.