Referee denies breaking Hertfordshire father's leg
A referee at a boys' football match in Hertfordshire broke a father's leg in a confrontation over a disallowed goal, a court has heard.
Referee Charles Wilkinson, 36, allegedly attacked Gavin Bamford on the pitch after a game in Hemel Hempstead.
Prosecutors at St Albans Crown Court said Mr Wilkinson was called a cheat after disallowing a goal in the dying moments of the under-12s cup tie.
Mr Wilkinson, of Elstree Road, Hemel Hempstead, denies assault.
The jury heard passions ran high when the Hemel Hempstead Tornadoes' equaliser was ruled offside in November 2008.
'Get off dad'
Prosecutor Geoffrey Porter said the mother of an 11-year-old player who scored the disallowed goal swore at Mr Wilkinson and called him a cheat.
Mr Wilkinson swore back at her and said she would be reported to the Football Association, the court heard.
Mr Bamford, 33, overheard and confronted Mr Wilkinson, who then charged at him, the jury was told.
Giving evidence, Mr Bamford, whose son was also playing, said: "He dropped a bag off his shoulder and charged towards me around three people and leapt at me with fists flying.
"I could hear my son shouting 'get off my dad'.
"Other parents lifted him off."
When interviewed by police, Mr Wilkinson he said he acted in self-defence as Mr Bamford was aggressive towards him, the court heard.
The trial continues.