POLICE are investigating an alleged attack in which a football referee was knocked to the ground after sending off two players during an amateur clash.

The incident happened as David Otley was refereeing a Blackburn Combination Premier Division clash between fourth placed West View and fifth-placed Ewood Amateurs at Pleasington playing fields.

Mr Otley, a senior county class one referee -- one of the highest levels in the amateur game -- had sent a player off from each side after they had clashed in the first half. Police have received a complaint that a West View player then allegedly attacked Mr Otley. The alleged incident sparked a scuffle and the game was abandoned with West View one-nil up.

Police have been informed and league bosses said action against the player has yet to be decided.

Mr Otley, of Darwen, today declined to comment except to say nothing similar had happened to him during "many years" of refereeing. But Stephen Blackburn, chairman of the Blackburn Referee's Association, said players who attacked officials should be thrown out of the game.

Mr Blackburn, a former referee himself, said: "We are aware of an incident where a referee was allegedly attacked by a player. Players who do this should be banned for at least two years and if they make a habit of this kind of thing, then let's get them out of the game altogether and fine them in the courts. People need to be punished and others deterred.

"You are always going to get some arguing and dissent, which referees can deal with, but how are they supposed to deal with something like this?"

Mr Blackburn said attacks on referees had become commonplace.

He said: "There's a lack of discipline. In the past five years or so it has got worse and we have had a number of incidents of assault reported to us.

"Two referees gave up after they were threatened in the car park."

Both the Blackburn Combination and the Lancashire Football Association are set to investigate the incident, which was on Saturday.

Mr Kenyon said David Otley was a 'very experienced referee'.

A spokesman for Blackburn Police said: "We have received a complaint of alleged assault on a referee by a player from West View football club." Steve Holden, manager of West View, said: "We have been advised by the LFA not to comment."