Football manager given prison sentence and lifetime ban after punching linesman

Robert Williams-Jones, the manager of Welsh side Amlwch Town, was caught on camera assaulting a volunteer linesman during a match

A football manager has been handed a lifetime ban after punching a volunteer linesman during a match in a shocking attack.

Former Amlwch Town boss Robert Williams-Jones was caught on camera assaulting the makeshift official during a match against CPD Penrhyndeudraeth in April 2024.

Williams-Jones pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm during the North Wales Coast West Premier League match in a hearing at Caernarfon Magistrates Court last month.

Williams-Jones, 43, of Llaneilian, near Amlwch, was sentenced to 24 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months. The defendant was also ordered to do 150 hours of unpaid work and pay £1,000 in compensation. The North Wales Coast Football Association (NWCFA) have also fined Williams-Jones £3,000.

A spokesman said: “The NWCFA can confirm that a NWCFA Disciplinary Panel recently considered a case involving an assault on a match official, which occurred in a match between Amlwch Town FC and CPD Penrhyndeudraeth on Saturday 27th April 2024. The matter had considerable media attention, but was only able to be considered after the police had concluded their case.

“The NWCFA Disciplinary Panel imposed a lifetime suspension on the individual responsible, as well as imposing a £3,000.00 fine and £50.00 order for costs. Amlwch Town FC were given a £2,500.00 fine, with £2,000.00 of that suspended for 12 months.

“The message from the NWCFA Disciplinary Panel is clear: there is no place for aggression or assault in football within this area association. The NWCFA will continue to take robust action on any instances of abuse. This matter is now closed, and the NWCFA will not be making any further comment.”

The unfortunate events cast a shadow over Penrhyndeudraeth FC’s game, as noted on their Facebook page: “A fantastic result and performance from the lads today.

“Unfortunately, the game was marred by an incident which occurred approximately 15 minutes into the game when a Penrhyn player, acting as a voluntary linesman, was assaulted.”

Following the incident Amlwch Town FC confirmed it had cut ties with Williams-Jones, apologising to both Penrhyndeudraeth and the linesman. The club said in a statement at the time: “As a club we have been truly saddened by the events on the weekend.”

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