Left: The umpires were kept busy during the SFL Division Three match between Parkmore and Sandown on Saturday with a number of scuffles breaking out.By Glen Atwell
AFTER 30 years of football, Parkmore Pirate player Ken Piggin thought he had seen it all.
Broken noses, torn muscles and jumper punches are all part of the game, according to Piggin, but biting isn’t.
The Southern Football League (SFL) player claims he was bitten during the Division Three match against Sandown Cobras on Saturday.
Piggin said he was involved in a scuffle during the third quarter when the alleged incident took place.
“I was wrestling on the ground and I felt the teeth sink into my cheek,” he said.
“I didn’t want to pull away because I was scared half my face would be ripped off.”
Piggin, who was reported for striking during the Pirates’ 41-point victory over the Cobras, said biting had no place in the sport he loved.
“I’m no angel on the field, but biting and kicking are two things that should never happen,” he said.
“I had to rush off to get a tetanus injection and have a wound on my face that will take a week to heal.”
Cobras coach Stephen Jasiak said the undisciplined attitude of both sides made the game the most ridiculous he had seen in his 20-year coaching career.
“I don’t like losing, but that was not a good way to lose,” he said.
Parkmore general manager Mike Smythe said the teams discussed the heated match afterwards and declared it would not happen again.
“It was bullshit for football and won’t happen again,” he said.
“When the two sides play again a trophy will be up for grabs, and the game will be played for the good of football.”
Piggin has pleaded not guilty to striking and intends to use the provocation defence to clear his name.
