Soccer Game Cancelled After Player Assaults Referee

The Southern Premier Division game between Redditch United and Chesham United was called off after Josh McKenzie of Redditch lost his temper and “hit” the referee following his sending off.

Reports have suggested that McKenzie’s unforeseeable actions were a result of him reacting extremely bad to conceding a penalty. Well okay, he may have over-reacted, but just a tad.

McKenzie was arrested and later cautioned at the police station. But that wasn’t even the worst news of the day for the temperamental former Redditch United footballer.

Following the game, Redditch chairman Chris Swan announced that the club have voided McKenzie’s contract.

“I couldn’t believe my eyes. The referee stood there for a second and then he just went down,” Swan told BBC Sport.

“It was just astounding. We had to get Josh off as quickly as possible and get him into the changing rooms because he was obviously very heated.

“He [McKenzie] was not on the team bus going back. I’ve just been to the police station to drop off some money so he can get home. But that’s it.

“There’s just no way that he’ll have anything to do with Redditch United ever again.”

Redditch United released the following statement on the club’s official website:

“We pride ourselves on fair play and will not tolerate this kind of behaviour. The team has worked very hard over the past few weeks and we will not let this one individual tarnish the reputation of our much-loved club.”

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