Footballer handed six red cards in one game

Colonel Ronan · Feb 17, 2010

Footballer handed six red cards in one match

STV said:

An amateur footballer in Hawick who received six red cards in one match has admitted his playing career is over.

Paul Cooper, 39, was given a two-year ban after losing the plot with a referee.

He was given a second yellow card for dissent while playing for Hawick United against Pencaitland in a Border Amateur League match in November.

Cooper then received a further five red cards in the subsequent verbal exchanges with referee Andy Lyon as he left the pitch.

Now the book has been thrown at him by soccer bosses and the striker faces the prospect of hanging up his boots.

Cooper, nicknamed Santa, said: "I know it was my fault that I got into trouble.

“I completely overreacted after I had been sent off and I know I said things to the referee I should not have.

“But I felt so frustrated as I honestly wasn’t to blame for the incident that led to me being sent off.

“After the game I went to see the referee in his dressing room and I apologised to him for losing it and he accepted his apology.

“I was given the chance to go to Hampden Park in Glasgow but it meant taking a day off work and I couldn’t afford to do this so I had to wait until I got a letter to see what my ban would be.

“Unfortunately I’ve been in both before with bans and I expected six months.

“But I was absolutely stunned when I got two years.”

Although he feels hard done to, Cooper confirmed he would not be appealing and admits his 22-year playing career is over.

He said:”I will just have to go with the flow, accept things and find something else to do on a Saturday.

“I think that will be my days as a player over. I’m 39 and I felt I could play on for another couple of years but those years have gone now.

“I knew I’d have to stop playing sometime but I didn’t think it would be like this.

“I’m absolutely gutted because I love my football.”

Hawick United manager George Shepherd said: "Paul was wrong in what he did and he knows this but to get a two year suspension is way over the top.

“A few mad moments have basically cost Paul his footballing career. He is a very good player and will be a big miss to Hawick United.”

Hugh Knapp, secretary of the Scottish Amateur Football Association, said:”The matter was properly dealt with under our disciplinary procedures.

“Mr Cooper was given the opportunity to attend a hearing but decided not to.

“He was also given the opportunity to appeal to the Scottish Football Association and again chose not to do that so the matter is closed.”

Cooper’s club Hawick United were also fined £150.
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speeds · Feb 17, 2010

Awesome.

Colonel Ronan · Feb 17, 2010

That is awesome. I wish they went into more detail though.

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