A FOOTBALLER accused of wounding a rival player during a match had the case against him dropped after magistrates showed the prosecution the red card.

Police charged footballer Paul Morley with the offence following an incident in a match played 12 months ago.

But Blackburn magistrates ordered that the matter should be discharged and Mr Morley's contributions to his legal aid costs refunded after refusing a prosecution request to adjourn the case.

Mr Morley, 19, of Eton Close, Hapton, was playing for Burnley Grammar School Old Boys in a cup match against a Darwen team on November 11 1998 when trouble broke out.

Twelve months later police called at his home and he was charged with maliciously wounding Gary Thompson.

Philip Turner, defending, applied for the matter to be discharged after the case had come to court on the third occasion and the police had still not obtained medical and other evidence they needed to proceed.

"I am asking you to discharge the matter, not to dismiss it," said Mr Turner." If the police feel, at some stage in the future, that they have sufficient evidence to re-charge the matter they will be free to do that."

Speaking after the hearing Mr Morley said he was not sent off during the match and had not been subject to any Football Association disciplinary action.

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