Badshot Lea joint manager Adam New has been banned from football for 274 days after squirting a referee with water during a match.

The Football Association imposed the lengthy nine-month suspension following an incident during the Baggies' Combined Counties Premier Division South fixture against Tooting & Mitchum United on March 28.

New admitted a charge of improper conduct after squirting the referee with water from a bottle.

An independent regulatory commission described the incident as "unprecedented" before handing down the suspension, which runs until January 26, 2027.

The ban means New will be unable to attend matches in an official capacity or carry out a range of football-related activities while serving his suspension.

The club said the incident occurred during the Tooting & Mitchum United match, “where Adam unintentionally squirted the referee with water from a bottle during a game in which he was sent off”.

In response to the decision, Badshot Lea chairman Mark Broad issued a statement backing the joint manager and reaffirming the club's support.

He said the club had confidence in New and looked forward to welcoming him back when his suspension comes to an end.

Mr Broad added that New had made an error of judgement but remained a valued member of the club who had the full backing of players, staff and directors.

“While we respect and accept the FA’s decision, we are disappointed by the severity of the sanction in relation to the incident,” the club said in a statement.

“The club has chosen to stand by Adam throughout this difficult period and will continue to support him in his managerial career,” the club added.

“This reflects our belief in both his character and our position regarding the incident and the length of the suspension period.”

The FA's written reasons for the punishment said the commission had taken into account both the seriousness of the misconduct and the need to deter similar behaviour towards match officials.