A SCOTS amateur footballer who was headbutted by a rival player during a game has told how he “could’ve lost” his eye after it swelled to the size of a golf ball.
George Robinson, from Dunipace, Falkirk, was playing for Stenhousemuir Community AFC when the shocking incident happened and he had to have his eye socket drained of blood.
Stenhousemuir were leading 3-1 against East Kilbride YM FC in the Premier Division of the Caledonian League when George, 32, was struck down around 15 minutes from full-time.
Footage from the game shows midfielder George as he tussles for the ball against rival players and after he loses possession he appears to be headbutted by an East Kilbride player.
Despite angry protests from his teammates on the pitch and those in the dugout, the match continued for around another 10 seconds before referee Craig Lauder halted play.
George, who was playing in just his second game for Stenhousemuir after switching from local side Syngenta, was knocked out for nearly 10 minutes.
He was then helped off the pitch and taken to Forth Valley Royal Hospital for treatment, where he was told he “might lose” his eye.
Speaking to The Scottish Sun, George said: “There was only about 15 minutes to go. It’s a weird one.
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“It was in no way a dirty game. There had been nothing like that and it just happened out of the blue.
“I was knocked out and had to go to hospital. I was down for a while. I don’t really remember but when I sat up I was helped off the pitch.”
Seriously concussed, George was taken to hospital by Stenhousemuir’s physio.
While waiting for a CT scan, his left eye became badly inflamed with blood – swelling to the size of a golf ball – with medics at one point saying he might “lose” it.
George said: “When I got to hospital I couldn’t remember my date of birth or my address. I went in and my eye was kind of small, but as I waited for a CT scan it blew up.
‘THEY STARTED SAYING I MIGHT LOSE MY EYE’
“I had to get two syringes in my eye to take out blood, then they started saying I might lose my eye.
“A specialist had to come from a separate hospital. He had to slit my eye with a scalpel to get the swelling down.”
George has no recollection of the headbutt and has been left in disbelief that no disciplinary action has been taken against the player responsible.
In footage of the incident which has been shared online, the referee can be seen standing looking at George and the opposition player as the headbutt took place.
George said the incident was a “disgrace” and wants retrospective action taken against the opposition player.
He said: “I can remember going for the ball. I didn’t see the other guy coming and then it just went black.
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“The referee didn’t even stop the game after it happened. It still went on for a good 10 seconds. My teammates went mental.
“A couple didn’t see it and they were told it was an accident. Not many amateur games are videoed but this one was.
“The league said the ‘referee hadn’t seen it and we don’t use video evidence’. Even if it was a terrible tackle and somebody broke my leg I’d say ‘fair enough’, but what happened to me wasn’t an accident.”
George said the league told him if he wanted to take it further he would have to contact the police.
But George said cops told him because the incident happened during play they couldn’t do anything.
He said: “The league just said it’d need to be taken up with the police. But the police said it happened in open play and it would need to be governed by the SFA.
“I’m not one to complain but I think it’s a disgrace. It’s a dangerous precedent they’re setting. They’re basically saying to everyone while the game’s in-play you can do whatever you want.
“I’ve been seriously assaulted with the fear that I could lose my eye and I have taken time off work, but the guy that did it is back playing football with no consequences whatsoever.
“It needs to change. I’ve had teammates in the past getting dated bans for shouting at referees or just shoving somebody. This was a headbutt and he isn’t getting any ban.
“I want a suspension for the player as that’s what should’ve happened.”
George, who works as a technical supervisor at a shopping centre, is out for three weeks due to his concussion.
But he is uncertain if he’ll return to play the game he loves.
George said: “I’m not 100 per cent sure if I’ll go back. It’s made me have second thoughts about amateur football.
“It’s a wake-up call. I could’ve lost my eye. I’ve still got a sore eye and head. My partner’s daughter was terrified when she saw me.”
He added: “The opposition team manager messaged me and said he’s sorry.”
Caledonian League president Douglas McMillan confirmed video evidence isn’t used by the league, but he told The Scottish Sun incidents of headbutting can result in an 18-month ban.
The Caledonian League’s code of conduct states: “Players will not deliberately engage in serious foul play or time-wasting or gamesmanship.”
East Kilbride secretary, Graeme Robertson, said: “As the matter is subject to an investigation unfortunately we cannot comment any further, other than to wish George all the best and we hope he has a quick recovery from his injury.”
Police Scotland confirmed it would not be taking any action.
The Scottish Amateur Football Association has been contacted for comment.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
