A SOCCER player who attacked a referee, leaving him concussed and in need of hospital treatment has been banned indefinitely. And the Kent County Football Association has said it will not review the ban for at least five years.

Shaun Bridges, of Rochester & District League side G&M Roofing, from Cliffe, near Rochester, was also fined £250.

Bridges left referee Geoff Moody concussed after shoving him to the ground in a Division Four game against Upchurch-based Three Sisters on February 21.

Another player who also abused Mr Moody, during a different game, has been banned for 112 days for continuous misconduct and improper or insulting behaviour.

Lewis Barker, captain of New Road side The Phillippa, was one of three Phillippa players sent off two minutes from time in a Division 2 game against Woodcombe Sports on February 8.

The visitors were leading 3-1 when Mr Moody awarded them a penalty. The Phillippa’s protests and Barker’s in particular were so “serious and nasty” he felt it necessary to abandon the game. It is alleged Barker threatened to knife him.

Barker’s suspension runs between April 12 and May 9 and next season from September 6 to the end of November. He was also fined £75 and his club was warned of their future conduct and fined £150 of which £75 is suspended until May 31, 2006.

Sheppey Sunday League referees’ secretary Andrew Bolton said: “I have no sympathy for either player. They both got exactly what they deserved."