Midhurst player hospitalised after assault at football match

Summarised from 3 outlets · 6 reports · Updated 4 Nov, 12:15 · Archive

A Midhurst and Easebourne player was hospitalised with a broken jaw after being assaulted during a match against Emsworth Town on Saturday.

An amateur football match in Easebourne between Midhurst and Easebourne FC and Emsworth Town in the Malcolm Simmonds Memorial Cup was abandoned after about 20 minutes on Saturday following an alleged assault. A Midhurst player was hospitalised with severe damage to the inside of his mouth and a broken bone in his jaw, with a high chance of requiring surgery.

According to Tom Merritt-Smith, chairman of Midhurst and Easebourne, the incident followed a fair challenge that did not result in a free kick. He said one of his players was grabbed around the throat before being punched and knocked unconscious. He stated the injured player wants to press charges and the club will support him.

Emsworth Town apologised for the incident, calling it "completely unprovoked" and describing it as an isolated incident that does not reflect the values of the club, players or volunteers. The club said it would comply fully with the West Sussex Football League and county FA protocols.

Sussex Police is investigating. No arrests have been made at this time. The Sussex FA said it was aware of a serious allegation of misconduct and that the matter is under investigation.

Midhurst and Easebourne said it is pushing for a lengthy ban for the player involved and possible expulsion of Emsworth Town from the league. The club is arranging counselling sessions for its players and staff who witnessed the incident.

Chichester District Council condemned the violence, with council leader Adrian Moss stating that violence of this nature has no place in the sporting environment or community.

How it is being reported

• Council condemns football incident which saw player attacked on pitchAn incident on a football pitch which left one player in hospital has been condemned by Chichester District CouncilThe Argus · 4 Nov, 12:00
• Chichester council condemns violence at football matches following Midhurst incidentAn incident on a football pitch which left one player in hospital has been condemned by Chichester District Council.Sussex Express · 3 Nov, 17:54
• Football club apologises over on-pitch 'assault'Midhurst and Easebourne FC's home fixture against Emsworth Town had to be abandoned as a result.BBC Sussex · 3 Nov, 16:12
• Football team apologises after player's jaw broken in on-pitch punch-upSussex Police investigate an alleged assault at a football match after a Midhurst player suffered a broken jaw; the cup tie with Emsworth was abandonedThe Argus · 3 Nov, 12:41
• Football game abandoned after players 'assaulted'Midhurst and Easebourne FC says its home fixture against Emsworth Town saw one player injured.BBC Sussex · 2 Nov, 18:26
• Emsworth Town apologise after Midhurst footballer is hospitalised with serious injuriesEmsworth Town FC have apologised over the incident that left a Midhurst and Easebourne player needing hospital treatment for mouth and jaw injuries.Sussex Express · 2 Nov, 18:22

In this story: Midhurst and Easebourne FC · Emsworth Town · Tom Merritt-Smith · Sussex Police · West Sussex Football League · Chichester District Council · Easebourne · West Sussex

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