SHAMEFUL STEPHENSON HAS TO BE PUNISHED

www.kentishfootball.co.uk condemns the sickening actions from Anton Stephenson last night - and we can only hope that justice is prevailed and that The Football Association BAN the vile creature from playing our beautiful game for LIFE, writes Stephen McCartney.

Stephenson, 24, brought shame on Kent football and Sevenoaks Town Football Club last night as he committed the biggest sin in football - spitting at someone.

Not only did he spit at someone on the pitch, he aimed his phlem at Kent match referee Jonathan Stone.

Stephenson was playing for Sevenoaks Town against Beckenham Town at Eden Park Avenue, with Beckenham leading 2-0 when the shameful incident took place.

As Mr Stone blew his whistle for half-time, Stephenson reacted to something or someone and appeared to shout abuse at the Kent match official.

Mr Stone then showed Stephenson a red card, with the player reacting by spitting at the referee, catching the official on his face and match shirt.

Stephenson was ushered away by team mates and into the dressing rooms, where loud voices were heard as a coming together of players appeared to occur.

Thankfully, Sevenoaks Town immediately got shot of Stephenson - and it is hoped that the player doesn’t play football in our county again.

It was the first time - and hopefully the last time - that Stephenson has featured in Kent, having previously played his football over in Essex, for the likes of Tilbury, Eton Manor and Thurrock.

Shocked by last night’s sickening events, Mr Stone, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk, felt he was let down by a Kent League official as he sought support and advice.

“He spat at myself with phlem landing both on my face and match shirt,” said a disgusted and angry Mr Stone.

“After the player was ushered back into his changing room and I entered mine, I made the call to the Referee Appointments Officer of the Kent League - one Ray Brown.

“On asking Mr Brown if I could abandon the game I was informed, "No you have to finish the game and report the incident".

“Mr Brown was fully aware of the events that preceded his response.

“We, myself - and both assistants Peter Cruise and Lee Dyson - had to compose ourselves from the awful events and carry on with the remainder of the match.

“After the game I sat down and wondered - why should I have continued the match??

“We currently have an FA Respect campaign in progress where players are being urged to respect match officials - where is the respect from the Leagues in which we officiate for?

“On Saturday the Bulmers Cider Kent League have 16 League games due to be played - each with 3 officials - so that’s another 48 match officials being put in danger.

“In Kent alone over 800 active referees officiate on a regular basis, these are generally well mannered and played in great spirit - when incidents do happen they get the support of those around them.

“I received unprecedented and unexpected support from Sevenoaks Town assistant manager Norman Phillips who came to apologise and advise he had witnessed the incident at half time.

“Surely The Football Association have to take a stand and support those referee's putting themselves in danger and at risk of assault on a regular basis.

“Is the Kent League just worried about ensuring they get there matches played in good time so the season finishes?? Or are they worried about the politics involved in football and ensuring that they keep the clubs happy no matter what the referee thinks?

“As Referee's, we go out week in week old, referee matches and when things happen that clubs or league officials do not like - why is it the referee who suffers?

“This incident was completely out of the blue and unexpected - and one which has left me shaken and wondering whether or not to officiate at this level or for the Kent League ever again, as they will not support me when a player acts the way in which this one did.

“The Respect campaign has been rolled out across the country to teams and fans - just not so sure League officials were in on the same publicity!”

Sevenoaks boss Simon Jones issued a statement immediately after last night’s game - which finished 3-2 in Beckenham Town’s favour - and thankfully he saw sense and threw Stephenson out of the Greatness Park club.

“We cannot condone things like that, and he won’t play for the club again,” he told the club's website www.sevenoakstownfc.org.

“He is an excellent player, but he had a shocker tonight, and you cannot do things like that on a football field.”

Jones may describe the striker as “an excellent player,” but Stephenson deserves to be punished and we can only hope that the authorities see sense and take the appropriate action.