Football manager banned for squirting water at ref

The joint manager of a Surrey football club has been banned from the sport until next year for squirting water at a referee.

Badshot Lea FC said Adam New's suspension, which runs until 26 January, followed an incident at a game against Tooting & Mitcham United in April, during which he was sent off.

The Wrecclesham club added the exclusion was due to "physical contact, or attempted physical contact, towards a match official", adding that the decision followed an Football Association (FA) hearing and subsequent appeal on Friday.

They also said that the squirting had been "unintentional" and, while abiding by the FA's decision, they were "disappointed by the severity of the sanction".

Club chairman Mark Broad said it had "acted swiftly" to appoint Lee Dyson in New's place as joint manager, adding that its focus would now "turn to the season ahead".

"We are excited by the potential of the squad we have assembled, and we have every confidence that Lee will continue the excellent work that Adam began," he added.

"The club has chosen to stand by Adam throughout this difficult period and will continue to support him in his managerial career.

"This reflects our belief in both his character and our position regarding the incident and the length of the suspension imposed," said Broad.

"Adam is determined that this situation does not become an excuse or a distraction from what the team is trying to achieve together."

Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook,X and Instagram, and listen to BBC Radio Surrey on Sounds. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.