A furious dad rushed onto a pitch and headbutted a footballer who had shoved his son during his first senior game.
Scott Robinson, 48, and his eldest son, Sam, were drinking beer while they watched his younger son, Alfie, play a game on October 17, 2020.
Alfie then tackled one of the opposition players 30 minutes into the match in Leicestershire, who ended up pushing him, which led to more shoving between the two on the pitch.
Leicester Crown Court heard how Scott Robinson and his teenage son then ran onto the pitch , before the player was struck several times, Leicestershire Live reports.
Other spectators then followed by also running onto the pitch and dragged Sam Robinson away, which led to a brawl erupting, during which Scott Robinson clashed heads with the rival player.
The player was left with a wound above the eyebrow, which has left a visible scar.
Lucy Jones, prosecuting, said it was accepted the Scott Robinson did not intend to headbutt the player, but added: "There was a general movement of his head during the melee.
"A witness described the sound of the crack of heads as 'horrendous.'
"The defendant left with others, taking their beers with them and putting their hoods over their heads as they went."
The victim, who was described as being in his 20s, went to hospital and the wound to his head was repaired with Steri-strips.
In a personal impact statement he said he was worried the scar would affect people's opinion of him, especially as he was a barman and feared others would form "a negative view."
Robinson, of Dulverton Close, Wigston, had no previous convictions, admitted a charge of causing actual bodily harm.
Michael Garvey, mitigating, said: "My client became concerned because he was the youngest and smallest on the pitch and was getting a hard time.
"The older players were assertive and he thought it went too far and as a result of a further clash both men [Scott and Samuel Robinson] took to the field."
Mr Garvey said the defendant acted out of character and added: "There are people of standing who think very highly of my client.
"He's got to nearly 50-years-old without a blemish to his name.
"He was an overly protective father who took steps that, on reflection, he wished he hadn't done and the fact he's lost his previous good character is a cause of great shame.
"He's very keen to say it won't be repeated and he won't be before a court again, at any time.
"He acted in the defence of another and it was accepted as impulsive and short lived by the prosecution.
"In context, the injury was treated with butterfly clips and wasn't the worst injury of its sort."
Sentencing, Recorder Steven Gasztowicz QC said the defendant went onto the playing field and "used your head to inflict an injury."
He said: "You were reckless as to the serious injury that was caused.
"Significantly, there was scarring and understandably - he only looks in his 20's from the injury photographs - he has been left with a level of anxiety and lost confidence.
"References show this was very much out of character for you and I accept it was done in the heat of the moment.
"I bear in mind you've offered to pay costs and compensation."
Robinson was given a 30 week jail sentence, suspended for 18 months, with 200 hours of unpaid work.
He was ordered to pay the victim £2,500 in compensation plus £1,200 court costs.
He was also placed on a football exclusion order banning him attending forthcoming games where Woodhouse Imperials, of Loughborough, were playing.
Samuel Robinson was dealt with separately at magistrates' court and received a 12 month community order, with 135 hours of unpaid work, for an offence of battery [common assault] in relation to his involvement in the incident.
He was ordered to pay the victim £200 compensation.
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