A FOOTBALLER denied punching the captain of an opposing team with whom he had earlier had a confrontation during a friendly match.
Dean Allert told a jury at Leeds Crown Court he was playing for Newsome against Scholes on September 1 when he was fouled by Christopher Churm and ended up on the ground in the second half.
He said he was called a “pussy” by the other player and when he got up squared up to him and was pushed away.
Allert denied saying to Mr Churm at that time that he would get him after the game.
He said he was then substituted and watched the game from the sideline.
Later another Scholes player fouled a Newsome player and “there was a big melee” involving about 10-15 players pushing and shoving.
He told the jury he went on to “try and diffuse the situation” and saw Mr Churm running towards the players “aggressively pushing, shoving and grabbing.”
Allert said: “We kind of confronted each other again.
“We were pushing and shoving each other, we both had fists raised towards each other and we were kind of like dancing with each other.”
He said he lost his balance because the field was not even and saw a hand come over his shoulder which punched Mr Churm in the face.
“I think it was over my left shoulder,” he told his counsel Adam Birkby.
He did not see who threw that punch.
“I said to him I didn’t do that to you mate.
“I wouldn’t have done that to him.”
The match was abandoned and Mr Churm had to have stitches in his face after the blow he was struck forced his bottom teeth right through his lip. He also had a broken tooth.
Allert, 28 of Daw Royds, Almondbury, Huddersfield, denies unlawfully wounding Mr Churm.
The trial continues.
