Player Hit With Three-Game Violent Conduct Ban For 'Slapping' Referee's Hand

Eastleigh's Jake Hesketh will serve a three-game violent conduct ban for slapping the referee's hand in innocuous fashion at the weekend.

The former Southampton midfielder was shown his marching orders in bizarre fashion on the stroke of half-time against Weymouth.

10-man Eastleigh, who play in the Conference Premier, scored a dramatic 93rd minute winner to come away with a 3-2 victory.

But the club were unsuccessful in their appeal over the extremely harsh decision involving Hesketh.

They had argued that National League rules stipulated that if a player made contact with a referee that wasn't intrusive or aggressive, a yellow card would be shown.

And after being knocked back in their attempts to have the ban upheld, the club posted video footage of the incident on their social media.

It's safe to say there was widespread confusion and disbelief over the call:

Hesketh will miss Eastleigh's next three games through suspension. Commenting on his dismissal, he posted the classic Jose Mourinho "I prefer not to speak" meme on his Twitter page.

The 25-year old joined Eastleigh in the summer after his contract with Southampton expired and he was subsequently released.

He spent 17 years at Saints and made four appearances in the first-team, including a debut against Manchester United in 2014.

Hesketh spent time on loan with Burton Albion, MK Dons, Lincoln City and Crawley Town.