A FOOTBALLER headbutted a referee following a disagreement over a corner kick, a court heard. 

Jalani Miles, 22, assaulted referee Shane Nash during a match at Budmouth College, Weymouth, after he was sent off following an argument.

Appearing at Weymouth Magistrates Court, Miles, of May Terrace Gardens in Chickerell, pleaded guilty to assault. 

The court heard that at about 7pm on December 19, Miles took part in a five-a-side match at the Hub.

Lee Turner, prosecuting, said that during the game, the referee made a decision Miles did not like and so he became "gobby."

He said that the ball went off the pitch and, after Miles retrieved it, the pair disagreed as to whether or not it was a corner kick. 

Following an argument, Mr Nash gave Miles a red card and sent him off, to which, the court heard, Miles responded "make me."

Mr Nash walked over to Miles who "headbutted him hard in the nose," said Mr Turner.

He told the court that Mr Nash grabbed Miles to "stop him from doing it again" but when Miles would not let go of him, the referee punched him. After Nash threatened to call police, Miles raised his fists in a "boxing stance" before other players intervened. 

A statement from Mr Nash said that the attack was "completely unprovoked" and that the game was "supposed to be enjoyable for everyone."

Megan McGhee, defending, said statements from other players present during the game "paint a slightly different picture" and suggested that the referee was being aggressive towards players throughout the match, favouring one team more than the other. 

Ms McGhee said that Miles "should have walked away," adding: "He should not have used his head, but he regrets that."

She told the court that statements from other players described the referee as being "aggressive" and claimed he swore at players.

Speaking about Miles, she said he was from a "well-respected family" and was in his final year of university. 

Magistrates gave Miles an 18-month conditional discharge and ordered him to pay £250 compensation and a victim surcharge of £20.