Footballer kung-fu kicked goalkeeper

An amateur footballer who kung-fu kicked the opposition team's goalkeeper in the face was today given a 12-month community order.

Dado Balde was playing for Lowestoft International against Oulton Broad and Notleys when the match had to be abandoned about 10 minutes before full time.

During a trial earlier this month, magistrates in Lowestoft heard that Balde, of Victoria Terrace in Lowestoft, kung-fu kicked goalkeeper Clive Humphreys shortly after he threw the ball back into play during the match on October 18 last year.

The court was told that the Lowestoft International - a team made up of British, Portuguese, African and Iraqi players - were leading the match at Dip Farm, Corton, 2-1 when the incident occurred.

Balde was given a red card for violent conduct just before the game was called off as players from both teams started to shout at each other.

Mr Humphreys had a cut on his chin and had a stiff jaw for several days.

Balde, 32, had denied common assault, saying he acted in self defence after Mr Humphreys punched him while throwing the ball back into play and he kicked out to stop himself being punched again.

Magistrates found him guilty at the trial in Lowestoft and said that although they could not be sure whether any contact with Mr Humphreys was deliberate or accidental, his kick was a disproportionate reaction and was 'not the use of reasonable force.'

Sentencing Balde today, chairman of the bench John Wren said: 'This is not the sort of thing that, in a public place, one would expect. A young man of your stature is expected to be setting an example and not to be doing things like this.'

The father-of-three was given a 12 month community order and will complete 40 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay �100 compensation to Mr Humphreys and �250 towards the prosecution costs.