A MAN was taken to hospital after allegedly being headbutted in the face at a youth football match.

Police were called to Fryer Field recreational ground in Ferndown following an altercation between members of the two rival coaching teams on Sunday afternoon.

Just minutes before the end of match between Poole Town Youth FC under 13s and Grange Athletic FC under 13s, a row, believed to have been sparked by a controversial penalty decision, broke out between three men.

Witnesses said a member of the coaching team from Grange Athletic was headbutted by his counterpart from Poole Town Youth FC.

Dorset Police said one man was taken to hospital with “minor head injuries” following the alleged assault.

“Police attended an altercation between three men at the football match at Bond Avenue in West Moors. One of the men received minor head injuries and had to go to hospital,” a police spokesman said.

She added: “No arrests have been made. All three men are helping officers with their enquiries.”

Following the dispute the referee bought the game to a close, which ended in a one-all draw.

Alan Paull, chairman of Bournemouth Youth Football League (BYFL), said the incident will be investigated by Hampshire Football Association and Dorset Football Association.

“It's something that no one wants to happen but unfortun-ately in this day and age it does happen,” he said.

“It’s up to the county associations to come up with a solution.

“They will carry out an investigation together and will make a decision as to whether any disciplinary action needs to be taken.

“It could take quite a long time,” he added.

John Fancy, disciplinary co-ordinator at Dorset Football Association, said an investigation has been launched.

“We have received various reports on the incident. We will be looking through these and preferring charges against the individuals involved when and if necessary,” he said.

“Hopefully, the people involved will realise it won’t be tolerated,” he added.

Simon Robinson, secretary of Poole Town Youth Football Club, said the club was still ascertaining the facts about what had happened.

“This is something we don’t want to see in league football,” he said.

Mr Robinson said no action has been taken by the club against any of its coaching staff at this stage.

“We will act in accordance with the guidance from the FA,” he said.

A representative from Grange Athletic FC said the assistant coach involved in the incident has made a full recovery.

He added: “We are all supposed to follow the FA respect code especially in front of children.

“These sorts of things should not happen at a children’s match.”