A FOOTBALL team has been booted out of a Fenland five-a-side league after one of its players attacked an opponent during a match on Sunday.

5 Alive’s Leisure Leagues’ match with LOL United was marred when an unnamed LOL player reacted angrily to a tackle from a 17-year-old opponent.

The man is believed to have thrown a number of punches at his younger victim while he held him against a wall.

Jason Ramsey, 5 Alive’s captain, said: “I was very upset to see a grown man hold an under-18 against the wall and hit him repeatedly.

“We have a number of younger guys in our team and the older ones amongst us feel responsible for them. We don’t want to put them in danger on the field.

“As a team we weren’t sure if we could play on but after the game players from other teams came to check that we were all right and expressed their disgust at the incident.

“The league is incredible, everyone usually gets on very well, and I couldn’t be happier with the tough stance that the league have taken.”

Mr Ramsey praised referee Paul Osborne for how he handled the situation during the match at Neale-Wade Community College’s indoor sports hall in March.

Leisure Leagues’ press officer Andy Thorley said: “Keeping a team like LOL United in the league would make no sense at all because we would effectively be saying that it is OK to behave aggressively in the league.

“With LOL United out of the league I am confident that the football can return to the spirit in which it is usually played where there is no threat of violence.”

A police spokesman: “This was a nasty attack which we are investigating. I would appeal for anyone with information to contact the police on 0345 456 4564.”

5 Alive were awarded a 5-0 victory.