A JOINT investigation by Humberside Police and the Football Association is continuing into an alleged assault on a referee after an under-16s match was abandoned.

Scunthorpe-based referee Martin Harrison, 22, was officiating at a match at the Brigg Recreation Ground on February 7.

The fixture was between Brigg Town and Appleby-Frodingham Saints in the under-16s C and M Alloy division of the Jack Kalson Junior Football League.

The match was abandoned with 20 minutes left to play with the score at 2-1 to Brigg.

Mr Harrison is then alleged to have been butted by a 16-year-old player from the visiting Scunthorpe side.

The referee was detained over night in Scunthorpe General Hospital, said to be suffering from concussion.

Roy Fenwick, the secretary of the Kalson League, said: "A 16-year-old player has been suspended until the investigation is completed.

"We have now passed on our files to the Lincolnshire Football Association (LFA)."

A spokesman for the LFA said later the manager of the Appleby-Frodingham Saints XI had been asked to appear before a disciplinary panel in Lincoln on March 23.

She added: "The player will remain suspended."

A spokeswoman for Humberside Police said: "Our investigations are continuing."

Mr Harrison, who is also a local snooker referee, declined to make any comment.