EXCLUSIVE

By Tivy-Side reporter

A local manager suspended from all football for three years after allegedly making derogatory comments about a referee on Facebook, has had the length of the suspension slashed on appeal.

And after the Football Association of Wales decided to drastically reduce the ban and fine, Steve Jerry Williams of Costcutter League club St Dogmaels spoke exclusively to the Tivy-Side about his feelings on the matter.

He was given the suspension by a Central Wales Football Association disciplinary committee in May and also fined £500 for allegedly making comments relating to a referee in an end of season league game.

Williams, a former player with Newcastle Emlyn in the Welsh League and locally with Saints and Cardigan Town, did not name anyone on Facebook, and contended that the comments were in regard to a matter outside football.

Those involved did not comment in the run-up to the appeal, but Saints followers expressed shock and anger over the suspension and fine, claiming they were hugely excessive.

Williams, who was legally represented at the appeal hearing in Llandrindod Wells, has now been banned for six games as from yesterday (Monday, September 10) but as the ban by the Central Wales FA ran from the start of the season, he is hopeful that the new suspension will be reduced to three games.

An FAW panel also decided that the fine be reduced to £120.

The 43-year-old manager said: “I did not take any part in three games under the CWFA ban and I am now waiting to hear if the new suspension will be cut to three matches.

“I did not name anyone in the post and have the utmost respect for referees who do a very difficult job.”

Accepting the appeal decision he said: “I would like to say a big thank you to St Dogmaels AFC and fans who backed me and also to people at other Costcutter clubs who contacted me with messages of support. Diolch yn fawr,” he said.