Non league player hit with three game violent conduct ban for ‘slapping’ referee’s hand

Non league player Jake Hesketh has been hit with three game violent conduct ban for ‘slapping’ a referee’s hand at the weekend.

The Eastleigh player was shown his marching orders in bizarre fashion on the stroke of half-time against Weymouth.

The 25 year old former Southampton midfielder was shown his marching orders in bizarre fashion on the stroke of half time in the game against Weymouth.

As much as I disagree with the decision apologies to the boys and the fans! @DannyWhitehall1 I owe you a pint and a box of pro v1s🤝 https://t.co/JeuSXtqvuQ

— Jake Hesketh (@JakeHesketh) January 2, 2022

The 10-man Spitfires, who play in the National League, scored a dramatic 93rd minute winner to come away with a 3-2 victory.

However the club were unsuccessful in their appeal over decision involving Hesketh with the player also not pleased with the ref’s call.

They had argued that National League rules stipulated that if a player made contact with a referee that wasn’t intrusive or aggressive, a yellow card would be shown.

After being knocked back in their attempts to have the ban upheld, the club uploaded video footage of the incident on their social media.

@EastleighFC wrote: “🚨 Our appeal of Jake Hesketh’s red card has been rejected, and he will now serve a three-game ban for violent conduct.

“Here’s the incident you’ve all been waiting to see, #Spitfires… 🧐”

🚨 Our appeal of Jake Hesketh’s red card has been rejected, and he will now serve a three-game ban for violent conduct.

Here’s the incident you’ve all been waiting to see, #Spitfires… 🧐 pic.twitter.com/AwSuWJwEB2

— Eastleigh FC (@EastleighFC) January 5, 2022

Hesketh is now set to miss Eastleigh’s next three games through suspension, and when commenting on his dismissal, he posted the classic Jose Mourinho “I prefer not to speak” meme via his Twitter account.

pic.twitter.com/HvHBlZsBXP

— Jake Hesketh (@JakeHesketh) January 5, 2022

The 25-year old joined Eastleigh in the summer after his contract with Southampton expired and he was subsequently released.

He spent 17 years at Saints and made four appearances in the first-team, including a debut against Manchester United in 2014.

Hesketh spent time on loan with Burton Albion, MK Dons, Lincoln City and Crawley Town.

As mentioned, the non league player hit was with three game violent conduct ban for ‘slapping’ referee’s hand, here’s how Twitter reacted…

@SaintsFanHQ: Pathetic decision from both the ref and the FA

@FFSChristie: Sent someone off in the Southampton Saturday League for something similar. No excuse for contacting a referee. Player needs to learn his lesson

@SallySu89591098: What’s the referee’s excuse for trying to contact the player…?

@chrispeggrefer1: Can’t see the problem in the laws of the game that is assault of a match official, I had one when I was a referee that a player took a card out of my hand and threw it on the floor he was done for assault of a match official.

@ATH_93_: I’m still baffled by this decision.

@del260581: I remember you sending me off in a charity game for accidentally kicking the ball at you!

@AdamBarrett80: What the basis of the appeal? You’re not allowed to put your hands on a ref, if you do it’s a straight red card. “He didn’t hit him hard” isn’t a reason to overturn it 🤣🤣🤣

@DannyFoxFox: I’d imagine the basis of the appeal would be that the decision was absolutely farcical?

@SheridanSparkes: All for defending referees etc, they’re all human, all fans of the game, without them we wouldn’t have a match but fuck me some of them don’t help themselves.

@OOC_BarnetFC: Same referee who sent our two off vs Boreham Wood in the trophy that got rescinded… get him in the Ryman League.

@joefoster99: Why are refs so desperate to have an impact on a game and moan when they get shit for it, wouldn’t you rather go about it quietly and fuck off home keeping the abuse to a minimum

@Tino_Ferreira23: Wtf is going on with todays referees? How on earth did he get a red for this and even worse, how has this not been overturned?

@ben_yfd: Welcome to the national league

@TacticallyEv: How on earth has the ref sent him off.

@matt_1865: heard the refs still in hospital undergoing treatment

@BenDollery9: Referee was terrible all game. Made the game about him, reminds me of a certain Premier league referee but hey, it will go quick, @JakeHesketh be back as soon as we know it

@Mrfaal: Clear red that, the player is knocking the refs arm out the way in annoyance at the free kick. He 100% knows what he is doing!

@KieranD83672193: Why’s the refs arm obstructing him in anyway? Referees have no business touching players

@Bootheyido: Any news if the ref has recovered from this? Looked like a hell of a hit he took

@whu75: National League refs summed up in 30 seconds! They seem to get worse each week and never know what to expect from match to match. Can’t believe that it was rescinded but FA will never back down.

@10tommywright: Thoughts go out to the ref at this hard time. I really hope he’s ok, and able to get back to reffing as soon as possible. Fucking shambles

@JamesOllis7: It’s a dying game!

@Leestevens1983: Tickled the ref 😂😂! Nowadays some refs need to use common sense and use some banter. Unfortunately some act like drill sergeants.

@IsSimplyAwesome: Ref was a prick all game Jake, probably thought he’d make an example of a lad trying to regain his belief in football again. Luckily the lino on the far side was on our side for Danny’s goal, was it onside, guess the highlights will show us! Anyway, good 43 mins today, Jake

@Pompey_Goals: Should hope so could of done the ref some serious damage. 10 match ban minimum.

@fredstr_: Ref literally touched him first so he slapped his hand away. Refs in this country continue to be a joke.

@Wheddsta: Slapped the referee. Disgusting behaviour.