A goalkeeper was sent off on Saturday for spraying an opposing fan who he claimed had urinated in his water bottle before he drank from it.
Tony Thompson was between the sticks for non-league side Warrington Town in their defeat to Guiseley in the FA Trophy. The scores were level at 0-0 when Thompson was given his marching orders in the 61st minute following an incident which has been branded a "disgrace".
A post on Warrington's Twitter account during the match read: "Just managed to catch Thompson on his way back in [to the changing rooms] - an away fan has apparently urinated in his water bottle, and then when Thompson has squirted it at said 'fan' after finding out, he's been sent off."
Thompson shared the post after the game, writing: "Today I fell out of love with the GAME! I’ve been called many names but for someone to p*** in my bottle, for me to drink it and then to be told I wasn’t allowed to react because I’m a player is outrageous.
"That person has put me my family’s health at risk and knocked me sick."
The incident caused a lengthy stoppage during the second round fixture at Warrington's home stadium Cantilever Park. Players confronted fans behind the goal before the referee decided to show Thompson a red card, while the fan in question was ejected from the ground.
Guiseley eventually got the winning goal in the 90th minute through Lewis Whitham, but Warrington boss Mark Beesley was more furious about the incident involving the fan than the result.
Speaking after the game, Beesley told the Warrington Guardian : "I don’t think I’ll ever be involved in anything like that again. The Guiseley staff apologised – it was disgusting and there’s no place in life for things like that.
“I think the referee has completely lost control after that – if someone urinates in my bottle and I drink it, I’m going to throw it away. To send him off for throwing the bottle away is a disgrace.
“It’s hard to talk about the football when such a big incident like that happens. From our point of view, the welfare of our players is paramount and what Tony was subjected to was disgraceful.
“Whoever did it should hang their head in shame and never be allowed into a football game again. The referee has to see common sense – I can’t understand it.”
Matlock Town sent their support to Thompson after the game, commenting on his tweet: "We stand with you Tony It's absolutely disgusting to hear what has happened to you at your game and we send our best wishes to you."
Others commented on the post, branding the incident "appalling", "beyond horrendous" and a "disgrace".
