Assulted Referee wants Justice
Satyam Toki was hit by a footballer he had sent off for foul language at a game in Acton, Ealing, on the 9th of August. Mr Toki, a train conductor from west London, said he contacted the Met Police two days later was waiting for his statement to be taken. The Met said the investigation was ongoing and no arrests had been made.It said it was not made aware of the assault until 21st of August.
Mr Toki claims he was asked not to press charges as the player who punched him might lose his job. Martin Cassidy Chief Executive of Ref Support UK, said Football Association (FA) rules had led to confusion about who was responsible for protecting referees. According to Mr Cassiidy, he said: “When you cross the white line on to a football pitch the laws of the land appear to be left behind and people can assaults referees.” “The police will say ‘oh it is an FA matter,’ and the FA say we can’t deal with it until the police say if there is a charge or not.”
“Referees were often too scared to report assaults, Mr Cassidy added. He also said: “Because the referee lives near to where they normally referee, they’re going to see the people who assaulted them.” A spokesperson for the Football Association said: “London FA and The FA take any assault on a referee extremely seriously.”While only 0.01% of approximately 850,000 matches played each season in grassroots football include a reported incident of assault, we recognise that any assault or incident of abuse is one too many.”The footballer who threw the punch has been “completely removed” from his team Sporting Club de Mundial.
The dismissed player aimed three blows at Toki and had to be restrained by others as the match was suspended. Police and ambulance workers attended. A Metropolitan Police statement said: “Following initial enquiries, no allegations were substantiated. “The victim subsequently contacted police on Friday, 21 August and confirmed he wished police to pursue the matter.”
“An investigation was launched and officers spoke with the victim. A man has since attended a west London police station by appointment for a formal interview; he was not arrested. “After careful consideration of all the factors he has been offered a police caution. The victim has been kept informed throughout the process.”
It is understood the player, who admitted the attack, has no previous convictions. A police caution, also known as a simple caution, is not a criminal conviction but could be used as evidence of bad character if the person goes to court for another crime. The un-named player has been ban from footballingactivities for years but the referee Mr Toki say he is not satisfied with the punishment and he wants to take the case to court.
