A JUNIOR soccer player has been suspended for nearly a year after being found guilty by an KCFA disciplinary committee of assaulting a referee. Greg Lavery, who plays for Leeds United FC, near Maidstone, will be banned from January 14 until December 12 next year.

The incident happened in the Lashings Maidstone League Division 1 game between Leeds and Ditton Reserves on November 17 this year.

The referee was Jim O'Cock, of Maidstone. The match ended in a 1-1 draw.