A referee who gave a team losing 18-1 a helping hand by scoring a goal for them resigned today after being suspended by the Football Association.

Brian Savill, 47, from Colchester, said the FA showed it had no sense of humour after he learnt the outcome of a hearing.

The referee, with 18 years' experience, said: "At the hearing, I confirmed my earlier observations that the incident was a spur-of-the-moment action which I could still not really account for.

"Also that it was not something that any other referee should consider doing.

"I anticipated at best 'a slap on the wrist' and a written warning as to my future conduct as a referee, and at worst a suspended suspension."

On Saturday, he was told he would be suspended for seven weeks from the end of the month - and then faxed his resignation to headquarters.

Mr Savill, who volleyed the ball in with his left foot after it came off a player's head, said: "I shouldn't have done it, but it was done in the best of humour.

"I just can't accept that they haven't got a sense of humour.

"Half of me says I do regret doing it because I did not think it would lead to this. But the other half says I'm glad I did because it brought enjoyment to everyone's lives.

"It shows refereeing can be enjoyable and that we are not Hitlers running around, blowing whistles all the time."

Mr Savill can appeal to the Football Association in London but said he believes it was pressure from them that "dictated" the county's decision.

Mr Savill officiated at a Great Bromley cup match between Earls Colne Reserves and Wimpole 2000 last year when he decided to lend a helping foot.

Phil Sammons, chief executive of the county's FA, said: "The case against Mr Savill of bringing the game into disrepute was proven.

"It was found that his deliberate action of scoring a goal and his subsequent actions were inappropriate. It was felt that Mr Savill should be suspended from refereeing for 49 days."

"In coming to that decision, the commission took into account his previous excellent record and his 18 years committed service to refereeing."

Published Monday January 14, 2002