A FOOTBALLER who provoked a riot after attacking a referee and Pershore Town players has been banned from playing for life.

October's Midland Combination Premier Division match had to be abandoned after fans stormed the pitch to join Coventry Marconi's Seamus Kavanagh as he attacked the visiting Pershore side.

The former kickboxing champion had lashed out after having his nose broken during a challenge on Wednesday, October 17.

He first attacked referee Jerry Curtis for refusing to take action against Pershore striker James Preece, whose elbow had accidentally made contact with him.

He then attacked Mr Preece and his father Mick - who is Pershore Town's manager - when he tried to intervene, Birmingham County Football Association heard during a disciplinary hearing.

Mr Curtis, who was forced to abandon the game after 79 minutes with Coventry leading 2-1, was kicked in the calf.

Kavanagh, who failed to attend the hearing, was found guilty of assault on a match official, violent conduct, causing a match to be abandoned and bringing the game into disrepute.

Police are still investigating the attack on Jerry Curtis.

Pershore secretary Mike Pugh said they were not at all surprised by the ban.