A non-league footballer plunged a stadium into darkness after he was sent off – because he thought the switch was for the showers.
Julius Muraga was given his marching orders in the 73rd minute of Kidlington Development’s Hellenic League Division One West clash with Cheltenham Saracans.
But moments after Muraga walked off the pitch the whole ground suspiciously suffered a blackout.
The travelling player held his hands up at the gaffe but insisted it wasn’t a case of maliciously attempting to abandon the match at the DN Fire Stadium.
(Image: Jerry Howse / SWNS)
Muraga had reached the dressing rooms and flicked a switch to get a head start in the showers, but instead he had hit the power on the floodlights.
Muraga said: “After entering the changing rooms, I inadvertently turned off the floodlights thinking I was turning on the showers.”
The game was delayed for about five minutes before Saracans completed their 3-1 victory – which had seen Kai Mahon, Ryan Smith, Sean McKeon all score for the hosts, with Jimmy Deabill netting for the visitors.
(Image: Jerry Howse / SWNS)
(Image: Jerry Howse / SWNS)
Nick Duval, chairman of the Kidlington club’s trustees, said: “It was a genuine mistake. Julius hasn’t got a malicious bone in his body. He is a smashing lad.
“It’s just bizarre that they put the switch for the floodlights in the opposition changing rooms.”
(Image: Jerry Howse / SWNS)
A spokesman for the club added: “As far as we can see the player simply ‘switched off’.”
The result clinched second place in the sixth tier for Saracans – who two years ago finished the season with a goal difference of -105.
They will now go head-to-head with Easington Sports for promotion.
