Player's jaw broken in soccer pitch brawl

Thugs playing a game of six-a-side football left an opposing player with a broken jaw and another with fractured facial bone after launching a mid-match assault.

The attack happened when The Underdogs took on Borussia Teeth at the Sneyd School pitches in Vernon Way, Bloxwich.

Todd Nash, who suffered a broken bone near his eye socket, told how the melee was sparked by an unprovoked attack.

The 24-year-old, of Heath Town, Wolverhampton, said the fracas started on Monday when one of the opposing team hit one of his friends when the referee's back was turned just after half time in the nil-nil game.

Mr Nash said before he knew it his team mate was on the floor being assaulted.

When Mr Nash tried to pull his team mate away, he was punched in the face. Another of his friends was also attacked.

He said: "It started with a bit of pushing and shoving and next thing my mate was on the floor and the guy was on top of him throwing punch after punch. We were all just shocked, we didn't throw a single punch at all."

Another 24-year-old underwent an operation yesterday after finding out his jaw was broken in two places and a third man suffered bruising to his face.

Mr Nash said he will have to wait until the swelling of his face goes down to find out if he will need surgery.

Leisure Leagues, who provide the six-a-side football, said: "The Underdogs have been removed from the league and all team members have received life bans from all Leisure Leagues competition." Spokesman Chris Roundtree said: "They will never be welcome in our league again."

Wayne Harman, captain of The Underdogs, denied his team started the trouble and said he was disappointed the Borussia Teeth were not also banned.

Jo Hunt, of West Midlands Police, said they were investigating the incident and taking statements.