Q - When is a stone wall red card only a yellow card?

A- When the foul is committed by a player who doesn't play for Kettering.


"Take that you Poppies!"



Being Kettering fans we know a thing or two about red card offences.

Whilst we impatiently wait for our 10th red card this season, we all assumed we'd be able to enjoy seeing an opposition one for a change when one of our boys was chopped down by one of Southport's short-tempered thugs yesterday.  As red cards go, it was one of the easier decisions for the reserve ref.

Lashing out and kicking a player into the air, off the ball is generally acknowledged as a stone wall red card - just ask Wayne Rooney.  My assumption when seeing the yellow card brandished was that the newly appointed ref had simply not pocketed the red card before taking over - no other possible suggestion came to mind!

In fact a quick look at the legal definition of Common Assault would suggest that even a red card might not have been sufficient-

Common Assault, contrary to section 39 Criminal Justice Act 1988



9) An offence of common assault is committed when a person either assaults another person or commits a battery:

An assault is committed when a person intentionally or recklessly causes another to apprehend the immediate infliction of unlawful force. (Archbold 19-166 and 19-172)
 
A battery is committed when a person intentionally and recklessly applies unlawful force to another. (Archbold 19-166a and 19-174 to 19-175)
 
 
 
It won't get us a point for yesterday's efforts but at least it would be amusing to see their animal banged up for a few months!