A footballer has been handed a five-year ban from the sport after inflicting serious harm on a supporter during an FA Vase fixture. Violent offender Calum Merrin received a prison sentence after leaving a victim requiring an operation and metal screws to be fitted. Cornish side Liskeard Athletic Football Club have stated that Merrin no longer represents them.
Assault at Brixham fixture
The 21-year-old, of Dartmeet Avenue, Plymouth, was representing his former side Elburton Villa when he and an accomplice caused grievous bodily harm (GBH) to a football supporter during an away fixture at Brixham in Devon on November 9, 2024. The assault occurred on the same day Elburton Villa faced Brixham in an Isuzu FA Vase tie, which ended in a 3-0 victory for the hosts.
Merrin, who transferred to Liskeard AFC from Elburton Villa during the summer, alongside his co-accused admitted to one charge of GBH without intent at Plymouth Magistrates' Court in June this year, reports Cornwall Live. The injured party is believed to have sustained significant injuries necessitating surgical intervention and the insertion of six screws into the affected area.
Court sentence and FA disciplinary action
Both Merrin and his accomplice were given two-year prison sentences suspended for two years, instructed to complete 300 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay £1,500 in compensation. A restraining order not to contact their victim was additionally enforced.
Following the criminal conviction for violent conduct, Merrin was referred to the Football Association (FA). Cornwall FA stated that because Merrin was representing a Devon-based club at the time, the matter fell outside their remit. However, the FA has now confirmed a five-year ban from all football for Merrin, backdated to when the incident occurred.
An FA spokesperson clarified that in such cases, the FA's disciplinary process can take into account the outcomes of related criminal court proceedings. Given that the court verdict and accompanying documentation were only recently made available, disciplinary measures from the county FA were delayed until that process had been completed.
FA statement and club confirmation
The spokesperson added: "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."
When approached for comment, Liskeard AFC, which competes in the Western Football League, confirmed that Merrin is no longer on their books.
