Calum Merrin, 21, has been banned from all football for five years after seriously injuring a fan during an away match in Devon, leaving the victim needing major surgery. The ban was confirmed by the Football Association (FA) following Merrin's conviction for grievous bodily harm (GBH).
Merrin, from Plymouth, was jailed after he and another man inflicted GBH on a football fan during an away match at Brixham in Devon on November 9, 2024. The victim suffered serious injuries during the FA Vase game, leaving him needing surgery and six screws inserted into the wound.
Incident and Court Proceedings
At the time of the offence, Merrin was with his previous club, Elburton Villa, and now plays for Liskeard AFC. The incident unfolded on a day Elburton Villa and Brixham played an Isuzu FA Vase match, which Brixham won 3-0.
Merrin and the other male involved pleaded guilty to one count of GBH without intent at Plymouth Magistrates' Court in June this year. Both men received prison sentences of two years suspended for two years and were ordered to carry out 300 hours of unpaid work and pay £1,500 in compensation. A restraining order not to contact their victim was also imposed, reports Cornwall Live.
FA Disciplinary Action
Merrin was reported to the Football Association following his conviction, and it has now confirmed the decision to ban him from all football for five years. A spokesperson explained that in cases of this nature, the FA's disciplinary proceedings can be informed by the outcome of related criminal court rulings. Disciplinary action from the county FA was only taken following the court outcome.
The spokesperson said: "Calum Merrin has been sanctioned for a breach of FA Rule E3.1 during a fixture between Brixham FC and Elburton Villa on November 9, 2024.
"It was alleged that Calum Merrin used violent conduct and/or threatening and/or abusive and/or indecent and/or insulting words or behaviour towards a supporter.
"It was further alleged that this constituted 'assault by a participant on another participant or any other person', as defined in FA Regulations.
"Calum Merrin accepted the charge, and an independent Regulatory Commission imposed a five-year suspension from all football and football-related activities backdated to the charge date, and a £150 fine. It also imposed 10 Disciplinary Points on the club."
The Mirror has contacted Liskeard AFC for comment.
