Mark Chapman tackled 26-year-old Terry Johnson with his studs showing during a Rugby and District Sunday League game last year, Warwick Crown Court heard.

Mr Johnson said both his tibia and fibula were snapped and a metal rod and four bolts will remain permanently in his leg.
Chapman, 20, of Long Lawford in Rugby, pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm.

Chapman, who played for Long Lawford, is not the first footballer to be jailed for on-field violence but other cases involved players using punches or, off the ball incidents.
Mr Johnson, who played for the Wheeltappers in the match against Long Lawford in October last year, told BBC News that he felt his opponent "got what he deserves".

"My tibia and fibula were clean snaps and they had to split my leg to relieve the swelling," he said.

"It's ended my football career and I'm not sure if I can walk properly without a limp yet.

"You cannot keep tackling people that way and get away with it."

There have been previous high-profile cases of footballers being charged following violent acts, rather than tackles, during matches.

In 2007, Barrow defender James Cotterill pleaded guilty to punching Bristol Rovers striker Sean Rigg during a first round FA Cup match and was sentenced to four months in prison.

The most widely-known incident involved former Everton player Duncan Ferguson in 1994.

While at Rangers, he head butted Raith Rovers' John McStay and later lost his appeal against a three-month sentenc

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) convened at the Home of FIFA in Zurich today, Saturday 6 March, for the 124th Annual General Meeting, which, as is the case with every FIFA World Cup™ year, was chaired by FIFA and its President Joseph S. Blatter.

A presentation was provided on the experiment with additional assistant referees in the 2009/2010 UEFA Europa League, following the 144 matches played so far. It was agreed that following the conclusion of the competition on 12 May 2010, a special meeting of the Board will discuss the final analysis of the experiment on 17-18 May. 

Concerning goal-line technology, the Board concluded that goal-line technology would not be pursued.

It was also agreed that Law 12 (Fouls and Misconduct – Sending-off Offences), Law 14 (The Penalty Kick) and the roles and responsibilities of the fourth official would all be further discussed on 17-18 May.

Regarding amendments to the Laws of the Game, approval was given to the proposals submitted by The Scottish Football Association in relation to Law 5 (The Referee – Injured Players) agreeing to the treatment of injured players from the same team who have collided on the pitch. It was also approved that stretcher bearers will now only enter the pitch following the signal of the referee.

The proposal of The Scottish Football Association also in relation to Law 5 (The Referee – Injured Players) to allow players to be treated on the field of play “if the injury was sustained as the result of an offence committed against him by an opponent” was not approved. The decision was made that the IFAB Technical Sub-Committee would further discuss this proposed amendment.

The decisions concerning the Laws of the Game taken today by the International Football Association Board will come into effect on 1 June 2010.
The 125th Annual General Meeting will take place at Celtic Manor, Newport, Wales between 4 and 6 March 2011.

Mark Halsey was cleared to return to refereeing after winning his battle against cancer on Thursday night.

Halsey yesterday passed the rigorous fitness test laid down by Professional Game Match Officials and colleagues at the referees’ Warwick University training base are understood to have cheered the 48-year-old through the punishing examination.

Halsey’s wife Michelle is also believed to be making good progress in her fight against leukaemia.

A SUFFOLK referee who is currently suspended has vowed to return to the middle as soon as possible.

NN*, who has nearly 20 years' experience as a referee, has been suspended since January 18.

The 51-year-old Ipswich-based official said he was suspended after receiving low marks for three matches in which he officiated.

NN who referees in the Kingsley Healthcare SIL on Saturday afternoons and the Flare Recruitment League on Sunday mornings, said: “I referee with total honesty and refuse to bend the rules. I don't think I have done anything wrong.

“I am re-taking the referees' course at the moment and I will be very surprised if I don't pass that. I should be back refereeing by the end of March subject to passing the course and the referees' committee giving me the go-ahead to return.”

Martin Head, chief executive of Suffolk County FA, said he was not prepared to discuss individual cases, but outlined the process whereby these situations are dealt with.

He said: “Depending on the seriousness and number of reports received the county FA will decide whether to send an assessor to monitor the official's performance before the referees' committee decide what course of further action, if any, to take.

“The county then contact the official concerned and they are invited to give their view. The referees' committee will then weigh up the situation before coming to a decision. This could involve the official concerned taking a course, suspension or even de-registration,” he added.

In the light of NN suspension Tony Trevers, referees' secretary of Suffolk County FA, has sent out a circular to leagues reminding clubs not to appoint suspended referees to officiate in any matches.

It said: “I would now like to take this opportunity to remind you, and then hopefully you will remind the clubs in your league, that under no circumstances should NN or any other suspended referee be allowed to officiate in any games, even if the initial approach is made by the referee.

“I am aware that there are occasions when clubs make their own appointments if their league have insufficient registered referees to cover all games, however it is important to remember that the suspension also covers this scenario.

“In view of the seriousness of appointing a suspended referee the county may consider taking action against clubs or leagues if it is found that they have appointed a suspended referee.”

Wirral District FA have released details and appointments to their District Cup Finals for this season.

Click on the following link for details.

Congratulations to all officials appointed to games and good luck !