A footballer said he deeply regrets threatening to knock a referee out after being red-carded in a Sunday League match.

Charlton fan Max Hewitt also said "I hope I see you at Palace" after seeing the official had CPFC tattooed on his knuckles – Crystal Palace Football Club.

Hewitt was a substitute at the time of the offence but stepped onto the pitch to remonstrate over a dismissal to one of his team-mates. That continued from the sidelines and referee David Sanford issued a red card after twice cautioning him for his actions.

Hewitt was part of the Sporting Club Thamesmead side who were playing FC Elmstead in the Premier Division of the Orpington & District Sunday League on November 21, 2021.

He admitted his guilt and apologised for his actions but was hit with a 133-day suspension from the game.

Mr Sanford claimed following Mr Hewitt's dismissal the player had "proceeded to threaten me by saying that I am going to knock you out."

In an extraordinary incident report, Mr Sanford also stated that the player spoke to him afterwards and that he felt threatened. On informing the player that he would be reported to the county FA, the referee noted the reply as "you can report it to whoever you ******* want to…you want to uses that blokes glasses (pointing to the gentleman standing next to me)' [sic].

Mr Hewitt said he was told to leave the pitch after being upset about a red card but on continuing to protest he was cautioned. The player was a substitute at the time and was asked to leave the side of the pitch. Mr Hewitt was then issued with a second yellow card and sent off.

In an email to the FA disciplinary commission, he wrote: "I was extremely confused at this as I've never known a referee to make such a strange decision, this did anger me and at this stage I do regret my next action however I told the referee that he is a joke and now that he has sent me off I can do what I want and that I should knock him out. I deeply regret saying this and know I shouldn't have done so.

"I never had any intention of doing what I said and never once tried to approach the referee."

Once the game ended Mr Hewitt was further frustrated after the team captain told him he couldn't threaten the referee and was correctly dismissed. The player denied he had threatened the referee until he was sent off.

He added: "Once I had been shown the red card this is when I did this. I then tried to explain this to the referee who wouldn't listen and was extremely rude. I then told him that I would love to see him at Crystal Palace one day this is because I saw he had tattooed on his knuckles CPFC during the game."

The referee had stated in his own submission that he felt the player's claim to "hope to see you at the Palace" had been a threat and the commission agreed.

Mr Hewitt - a Charlton fan - added: "I do apologise for the threatening behaviour, this isn't something I am proud of and haven't done before, it's not an excuse whatsoever however it's extremely frustrating that when a referee puts on the black kit they believe they can talk to people like **** and not follow the laws of the game.

"If the referee had done this originally I wouldn't have been sent off and this whole incident wouldn't of occurred."

Mr Hewitt felt the referee was "rude and didn't want to listen" when he tried to talk to him after the game but added: "I am sorry for my behaviour, it was out of character. I realise I've let myself and my club down saying what I did. I'm disappointed in myself and when writing this out feel very embarrassed.

"I can honestly say I would never have had any physical altercation with the ref. But what I said was completely unacceptable and I will learn from this whole thing going forward."

The Commission was provided with the player's offence history over the past five seasons. It was noted that he had previously committed similar offences which was seen as an aggravating factor.

They credited his acceptance of the charge at the outset and remorse shown but found the charge proven and along with the ban have fined him £75. He must also complete an online education programme. The decision is subject to the right of appeal.