Non-league footballer attacks fan after red card, gets the sack

Updated: 22 Jun, 2017 • • min read

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Non-league side Goole have sacked captain Karl Colley after he was involved in an altercation with a fan in the stands following a red card.


Goole player Karl Colley is seen trying to attack a fan after being sent off against Coalville Photo: YouTube

Colley was sent off in their home match with Coalville Town at Victoria Pleasure Grounds in East Yorkshire on Saturday.

As he left the field, video footage showed Colley make three attempts to confront a heckling fan, appearing to throw a punch at him on the second occasion.

Coalville's Twitter feed documented the entire bizarre scene.

Goole No 5 sent off, horrible tackle on Stuart, walks off then approaches the Coalville fans in the stands and starts throwing punches!!
— Coalville Town FC (@CoalvilleTownFC) January 25, 2014

He is there captain, absolutely embarrassing trying to attack fans!!!!!
— Coalville Town FC (@CoalvilleTownFC) January 25, 2014

Video footage of the player running into the stands and throwing a punch, Coalville fans were just singing as he was walking off!
— Coalville Town FC (@CoalvilleTownFC) January 25, 2014

I think we can safely say he's had #headloss.
— Coalville Town FC (@CoalvilleTownFC) January 25, 2014

You'd of hoped Goole's No 5's punching was better than his footballing skills, unfortunately not #swingandmiss
— Coalville Town FC (@CoalvilleTownFC) January 25, 2014

Goole have responded to the incident with Colley told he will not play for them again.

A statement on Goole's website read: "After the deplorable incident at today's home game against Coalville Town, we can confirm that the player responsible has been released by the club.

"We are a family club and incidents of this nature have no place in football and will not be tolerated at the Victoria Pleasure Grounds.

"The club acted quickly and decisively and released the player with immediate effect and as such the player in question will never play for our football club again.

"We apologise to each and every supporter at the game today and whilst, as a club, we can't legislate for incidents of this nature, we will not tolerate them from anyone."

Coincidentally, Colley's disgraceful act happened exactly 19 years after ex-Manchester United star Éric Cantona infamously launched a kung-fu style kick at Crystal Palace fan Matthew Simmons.