‘Violent’ push on match official led to Ince’s ban

Ince last week learned he would not be allowed to enter any stadium Blackpool are playing in on a matchday for their next five contests for his actions following their 2-1 win over Bournemouth last month.

The Seasiders boss was sent to the stands after throwing a bottle, which hit a female spectator, and his irate reaction after the final whistle, which the FA found breached three rules, landed him in hot water.

Yesterday the FA disclosed the full extent of Ince’s actions as they revealed he physically assaulted fourth official Mark Pottage while using a series of expletives.

In the report, referee Oliver Langford said: “At the end of the game as we left the field of play as a team of match officials we were confronted by a clearly very irate Mr Paul Ince. On confronting us Mr Ince asked why he had been sent to the stand.

“I explained to Mr Ince the reason why he had politely been asked to leave the technical area. It was then a clearly frustrated Mr Ince had said ‘and where’s your busy f****r of a fourth?’.

“Mark Pottage, the fourth official, was stood behind Mr Ince at the time and said ‘I’m here’.

“Mr Ince then turned around and violently shoved Mr Pottage with two hands in to the chest. Stewards then quickly stepped in and tried to usher Mr Ince to the dressing room area.

“As this occurred Mr Ince, being restrained by stewards and players of Blackpool, was repeatedly shouting in an aggressive manner ‘I’ll knock you f*****g out you c***’ to Mr Pottage.”

In an examination during the hearing, Langford added that “Mr Ince’s eyes were bulging” as he squared up to Pottage.

Assistant Alex Rae was also involved in the melee, with Pottage – providing his own evidence – noting he had to move to avoid contact with Rae’s forehead. Giving his evidence Ince, who denied using the word ‘c***’, said: “As I turned around, Mr Pottage stepped forward and was ‘fronting me up’ in my face.

“I felt intimidated, so I instinctively pushed him away.

“The push was not aggressive; only enough to move him away from where I was, only in order to avoid a real possibility of a one-to-one confrontation. However, I know I should not have pushed him and I wholeheartedly apologise.”