Ghan United assistant coach Mamady Jabateh appealing against minimum three year ban after post game incident with Steven Butler

An assistant coach is fighting back against a hefty ban after a heated post soccer match clash with a spectator – alleging a key piece of evidence was overlooked.

A soccer coach who was banned from attending any match for a minimum of three years following a melee after a senior game has claimed he was defending himself from a violent thug.

Assistant coach of Ghan United’s second team, Mamady Jabateh, 30, has appealed the sanction, saying Football South Australia (FSA) did not consider the “imminent danger” Steven Shaun Butler posed to him.

In a statement published online, FSA said they received reports relating to disturbances following the conclusion of the Salisbury Inter and Ghan United HPG State League 2 North Senior Game played on Saturday, May 10.

Mamady Jabateh is appealing a minimum three year ban by Football SA after a violent altercation with a spectator. Photo: Supplied

Steven Butler was also involved in the incident following the conclusion of the Salisbury Inter and Ghan United HPG State League 2 North Senior Game played on Saturday, May 10. Photo: Facebook

They said they conducted a thorough investigation and referred the matter to the independent Disciplinary and Ethics Committee, which was held on May 28.

The committee charged Butler, who was a spectator, and Jabateh with participating in a melee, provocation or incitement of hatred or violence and threats of physical violence.

As a result, both men were handed a six year sanction from attending any Football SA match or event, with three of those years suspended.

In the grounds for appeal, Greg Griffin, for Jabateh, who also works for FSA as the African co-ordinator, said the sanction was “harsh and unreasonable, even if the charges were properly established, which on the evidence they were not”.

“FSA Disciplinary Committee erred in not having any or sufficient regard to the imminent danger Mr Butler posed to Mr Jabateh who has been described in the Adelaide Advertiser as a domestic violence thug with a history of savage and violent attacks on women,” he said.

Butler was sentenced in 2023 to two years and one month jail, with a non-parole period of one year and three months.

He pleaded guilty to multiple assaults, including an incident where he bashed his partner until she was “spitting blood”.

Due to the time he had served in custody, he was made eligible for parole at the time of sentence.

A SA police spokesperson told the Advertiser Police attended a report of a disturbance at a Salisbury North soccer match about 7.15pm on May 10.

The spokesperson said the people involved had left prior to police arrival.

“Police spoke with club officials, who reported the matter to Football SA,” the spokesperson said.

“There were no criminal offences reported to police.”

Salisbury Inter and Ghan United were also charged with failing to provide a safe environment for participants, participating in a melee and bringing the game into disrepute.

The clubs were both fined $2000, $1000 of which was suspended, and had six competition points deducted.

FSA said neither club had exercised its right to appeal.

“Football SA strongly condemns the behaviour following this match which has brought the game into disrepute and risked damaging the sport’s public reputation,” they said.

“These penalties send a strong message that such behaviour is unacceptable in any form.

“We remain committed to upholding the integrity of the game and fostering a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for all participants.”

FSA confirmed to the Advertiser that Jabateh has appealed the findings, with an appeal hearing scheduled for Tuesday.

Butler, 35, has not appealed the determination.

Originally published as Ghan United assistant coach Mamady Jabateh appealing against minimum three year ban after post game incident with Steven Butler