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20 November 2001 Readers of the Netbees Messageboard or the Non-League Paper, may have read about the plight of a website run by a fan of Goole Town (of the Northern Counties East, Premier Division). Basically, Webmaster and Goole Town season ticket holder Steve Jackson was issued a fine of £100 by the FA over comments he made about a referee on his website. Not only that but Goole Town themselves were also issued a disrepute charge after they printed the comments in their matchday programme, and they were doubly shocked when the charge carried a £500 fine. Criticism He criticised the referee in the match against Alfreton Town in August. "I was trying to make a point that referees can overcompensate when presented with a much larger than average crowd, as we have: at Goole. "My comments weren't particularly aimed at an individual referee although I did point out that he had a poor match," he said. "I am disappointed my hobby has caused such an offence," he added and said he had even been afraid of going to work after the news broke in a local newspaper. "No-one has actually spoken to me," he said. "I've been tried and found guilty without even having the chance to reply. It really makes me wonder whether doing the website is worthwhile. I'm really sorry for any problem I have caused my favourite club." Half of the fine is suspended, payable should further transgressions occur. Both parties intend to appeal against the decision. Statement The author of the piece issued this statement on his website. "Firstly, let me apologise to all members of the board and all those concerned with the running of Goole AFC. It is regrettable that any of the content on this site should be detrimental to the club, financially or otherwise. I must stress however, that at no stage in the process have I been contacted either by the complainant, the League Management Committee or the F.A. with a view to explaining, retracting or defending the said article(s). Due to this lack of contact, it is possible the offending articles have not been changed or removed. I would be more than willing to contact or enter into dialogue with any of the parties with a grievance. However, I would not want to say anything which may influence the appeal against this decision, therefore I remain contactable via e-mail at webmaster@gooleafc.co.uk". Stunned secretary of Goole Town, Malcolm Robinson warns that if it is upheld the whole of football could be affected. "I can't believe it," he said. "This decision opens a can of worms. Are Goole AFC to be held responsible for what governments can't achieve - censoring the Internet?" FA Responds John Riordan, office manager for the West Riding FA, said both the club and Mr. Jackson had been charged with bringing the game into disrepute relating to comments made on the website later repeated in the club program "Over the issue of the FA fining Mr. Jackson, the FA has jurisdiction over all participants in the game - including referees, players, managers and spectators," he said. "However, the ruling is now subject to an appeal and is therefore sub-judice." Appeal Date Set The F.A. have set a date to hear the appeals of both Goole AFC and Vikings Online webmaster Steve Jackson against the fines recently handed out by the West Riding County F.A. over the article. The appeals will be heard on Thursday December 6th 2001 at 11:30am at the W.R.C.F.A. headquarters in Fleet Lane, Woodlesford, Leeds. Further Information See Steve's Website at http://www.gooleafc.freeserve.co.uk/ for the latest news. Halifax Town Rivals Website also have some more details about this. This article was cribbed from the websites referred to above. |
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