Reuters: A referee suspended for scoring a goal while taking charge of a minor league game has resigned after being found guilty of bringing the game into disrepute.

The Essex County FA said on Tuesday that they were disappointed by the decision of Brian Savill, who hit the headlines last year when his sympathy for a team getting beaten 18-1 went too far.

"It is a pretty unique case and hopefully it won't happen again," Essex County FA chief executive Phil Sammons told Reuters.

"We are very disappointed as an association because we are desperate for referees. But the rules and regulations of the Football Association do not allow match officials to score goals. We have to uphold those rules and regulations."

Savill was taking charge of a Great Bromley Cup game in the South of England on Sept 22 between Earls Colne Reserves and Wimpole 2000. With 10 minutes remaining and Wimple trailing 18-1, Savill found the ball at his feet in front of the Earls Colne goal and promptly banged it into the net, before signalling a goal.

The laws of the game state that the Referee is part of the playing area, and that the game continues if the ball strikes him. There is no provision in the laws to differentiate between an accidental or deliberate contact.

Savill's bizarre goal made little difference to the outcome as Earls Colne went on to win 20-2, but the officials were unimpressed.

At a hearing on January 8, the Essex County FA found 47-year-old Savill, a Royal Mail manager from Colchester, guilty of bringing the game into disrepute and suspended him for seven weeks.

Savill, a referee with 18 years' experience, resigned over the weekend after finding out about the decision. "They haven't got a sense of humour," Savill told the Times newspaper on Tuesday. "It brought enjoyment to everyone's lives. It shows refereeing can be enjoyable, and that we are not Hitlers running around blowing whistles all the time."

-- Anonymous, January 15, 2002

Answers

Slavish obedience of fools, guidance of wise men.

I couldn't have dreamt up a better demonstration.

-- Anonymous, January 15, 2002

Punishment (just about) fitted the crime. Up to him if he wanted to resign over it.

Still would've been geet funny to watch mind :O))

-- Anonymous, January 15, 2002