Junior footballer banned for 7 years for 'wiping spit' on referee

A junior footballer has been banned for 7 years by FA bosses over claims he wiped spit on a referee’s back.

Jake Schofield, 15, was reported to Manchester FA for spitting on his hand and wiping it on the official at the end of a game between his side Moston Valley and Failsworth West Juniors.

The Manchester Communication Academy pupil was stunned to later find out he had been banned until August 2021.

But after being contacted by the M.E.N., bosses at governing body FA said it would launch an investigation into the decision.

Jake, from Harpurhey, denies the incident and said the ref misunderstood his actions at the final whistle.

He said: “We’d had a few words during the game and at the final whistle I didn’t really want to shake his hand but my manager told me to go and do it.

“As I walked over I spat on the floor which I admit disrespected him and he said he wouldn’t shake my hand as I’d just spat on it. I told him I hadn’t and as he turned away I patted him on the shoulder.”