A FOOTBALLER could be in line for a five-year ban after appearing to shove a referee during a game on Saturday.

It is believed Woofferton’s Dan Hicks was about to be shown a yellow card by referee Stuart Buchanan.

The 24-year-old was suspended from all football with immediate effect after being landed with a Herefordshire Football Association charge for assault.

If found guilty, he faces a lengthy ban of between two and five years.

The charge follows the alleged incident in the closing stages of the Hereford Times Herefordshire Football League Division One match between Woofferton and Ewyas Harold Reserves, which finished in a 1-1 draw.

HFA chief executive Jim Lambert said Buchanan has reported the incident to him. He believes it is claimed Hicks was being cautioned when the referee went to ground.

“The club has been told the player will be suspended until the case has been heard,” said Lambert.

“We have to hear it within 28 days but we have disciplinary procedures which will swing into action immediately.

“If he is found guilty there is a lengthy ban to come.”

There are unlikely to be any sanctions against Woofferton.

Club secretary Dave Thomas said: “There was an incident on Saturday.

We are currently liaising with the HFA to deal with the situation.”

The Hereford Times has attempted to contact the player involved but has been unable to do so at the time of going to press.

The incident overshadowed a brilliant goal from Woofferton’s Si Bradley who lobbed the Harold goalkeeper from 35 yards.

The result, coupled with Bromyard suffering their first defeat of the season at the hands of Wellington Colts, means Woofferton have managed to narrow the gap at the top of the league to just two points – though Bromyard do still have two games in hand.

Harold opened the scoring after just three minutes when a free-kick was nodded into the path of Jake Cleves to score.

Woofferton then went on to rattle the crossbar before they equalised with Bradley's fine effort in the second half.