A CHEEKY footballer who streaked across the pitch after his team scored a crucial cup final goal has had his bottom slapped by the Football Association.

A CHEEKY footballer who streaked across the pitch after his team scored a crucial cup final goal has had his bottom slapped by the Football Association.

Injured Crane Sports midfielder Simon Lummis was forced to watch from the sidelines as his team took on BT Trimley in Woodbridge to contest the Omnico Cup Final last month.

As the game went into extra time with the scores tied at 2-2, the 33-year-old plumber from Thetford Road, Ipswich, decided to get behind his team and show his support.

Buoyed on by other spectators – and a few pints downed in the Woodbridge Town bar – Mr Lummis whipped off his clothes to celebrate a third goal for his team.

And he had barely dressed himself again when Crane scored again, prompting another naked celebratory run.

But despite the crowd and players finding Mr Lummis' naughty high-jinx funny, soccer chiefs from Suffolk County FA were not amused.

Two weeks after the game, Crane Sports secretary Andy Pearce received a letter informing him that Mr Lummis had been slapped with a £25 fine and a two-week suspension for "bringing the game into disrepute".

Mr Lummis said: "I was not involved in the game other than being a paying spectator so how can I be banned? It just doesn't make sense.

"I presume they got my name from reading The Evening Star and decided to make an example of me.

"I was injured and I was ineligible anyway as I had already played for a different team in the cup last season. The FA wouldn't fine a supporter who ran on so it's not fair."

After receiving notification of Mr Lummis' punishment, Crane secretary Andy Pearce challenged the decision.

Mr Pearce said: "The referee must have mentioned the streaking in his match report, but he wouldn't have known Simon's name.

"When we got the letter from the FA, Simon's name had been filled in on the report by someone else, I presume from the county FA. They must have seen his name in the paper and added it to the report.

"It was taken as a joke by everybody at the ground. We all play football for fun and there are times when people on these committees would do well to remember that. It's just crazy."

Martin Head, secretary for Suffolk County FA said even though Mr Lummis was not playing, he was still a registered player.

He added: "I was not on the committee which made the decision, but I didn't think it was amusing.

"There is an appeals process he can use if he wants."

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