A Staines Town FC footballer who headbutted an opponent in a Zinedine Zidane style "moment of madness" has been jailed for two months.

Midfielder Fiston Manuella, 25, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm to Dunstable Town Football Club's Marc Kefford in an FA Cup qualifying game in September last year.

The crucial game was 1-1 at the Wheatsheafe stadium after 70 minutes, when Manuella and Dunstable player Darren Sarll clashed as they both jumped for the ball.

Guildford Crown Court saw video footage on Tuesday, August 1, showing Marc Kefford running 40 yards across the pitch towards Manuella and pushing him.

The defendant then retaliated by headbutting Kefford causing him to fall to the ground with blood pouring from his face.

The Staines Town player was sent off, and Kefford was shown a yellow card for the push.

Christian Mitchell, prosecuting, said: "During the journey home Marc Kefford had a fever, he was sick three or four times, and was showing signs of concussion.

"He was taken to a hospital in Dunstable where he received nine stitches to a two-inch cut under his left eye."

The court heard how after the game, the Dunstable FC manager threatened to prosecute Manuella if he played in the re-match.

Staines FC won the game the following week after the score was equal, and Manuella was brought on for the last few minutes.

Kefford, who still has a scar on his face, told police he believed Manuella's behaviour had brought football into disrepute and set a bad example to others.

When interviewed by Surrey Police, Manuella said: "I struck out because I thought Kefford was going to hit me. He called me a mug and said I was rubbish and no good at football."

Nicola Shannon, defending, said: "Once matters had become political between the clubs, they were not content to leave it at that."

"It was a particularly important match for both sides and tensions were high. One of these teams was expecting to qualify for the FA Cup.

"The defendant feels extreme disappointment in his own behaviour and the example for young fans and players who might see him as a role model."

The Angolan born midfielder has no previous convictions and the incident was completely out of character, it was claimed.

The court heard how Manuella, whose father died last week, has shown impressive leadership within his family since arriving from Angola, aged nine.

In sentencing last week, recorder Charles Haddon-Cave QC, said: "A signal needs to be sent out to those who find themselves in these situations that this is not acceptable behaviour and will be dealt with severely.

"The offence was so serious that it is the court's judgement that only a custodial sentence is justified.

"This was a very deliberate headbutt causing a serious wound just below the victim's eye.

"This was done in a fit of temper, a reaction to being pushed in the course of a game, but this is not in any way an excuse for this action, using the head as a weapon.

"Whether at this level of the game or at the highest level of the game, the message should go out loud and clear.

"The use of violence on the football pitch or anywhere else should not be tolerated."

Marc Kefford was also awarded £500 in compensation.