A footballer who punched an opponent after he said he was 'taken out' by an over-the-top tackle was fined £250 and ordered to pay £750 costs.

Redhouse Revolution player Gary Davison hit Redview player Mark Foster so hard he needed five stitches to a cut below his left eye, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

The clash happened during a game between Redview and Redhouse Revolution at the Downhill Sports Complex in Sunderland on August 17 last year.

The six-a-side match, affiliated with the Durham Football Association, was abandoned after the incident.

A jury found Davison, who had a previous conviction for assault following a fight in the street, guilty of assault by a majority verdict after a two day trial.

Sentencing, Judge Tim Hewitt said he accepted Mr Foster had been aggressive towards Davison during the game.

But he said: "You cannot react in this way, otherwise you are in danger of being prosecuted under criminal law rather than a red card, ban, or fine through the Football Association."

The court heard there had been ill feeling between the two men during the game.

Davison, 24, of Rennie Road, Sunderland, had told the jury: "I had the ball.

"I pushed the ball forward and saw Mr Foster coming towards me from one side.

"There was contact with my thigh area and I fell over onto the ground.

"He took me out. Then he was sniggering at me.

"I got up and I thought he was going to hit me so I hit him."

Mr Foster said: "As I had my back to Mr Davison he came at me and punched me several times.

"I received five stitches to a cut under my right eye."