A TV sports reporter needed hospital treatment after allegedly being attacked by a club manager as he refereed a football match.

Dave Roberts - a regular face on Sky's coverage of the North-East's Premiership clubs - was treated for an eye injury after the incident in the dying minutes of last week's game.

An FA inquiry has now been launched, and police are investigating an allegation of assault.

Mr Roberts - who has reported from Wembley and the World Cup final in Paris - was officiating at the game in the less salubrious surroundings of Birtley where 60 fans were watching the Wearside League game against Cleadon FC.

Cleadon were losing 1-0 with just four minutes to go when the 37-year-old sent off their goalkeeper for kicking Birtley's centre forward.

The FA are now investigating an allegation that Cleadon manager Peter Quinn ran on to the pitch, grabbed the referee and slapped him across the face.

Mr Roberts abandoned the match and left for hospital.

The former professional player said: "I cannot go into details but I can confirm I have made a complaint of assault which police are investigating and I have included details in a report to the Durham FA.

"This is the worst incident I've suffered as a ref but it won't make me hang up the whistle."

Mr Roberts added: "I've been officiating seriously for seven years now. I'm probably too old to make the Premiership but I hope to reach the Football League one day."

John Topping, secretary of the Durham FA, said: "We have had the odd complaint of a player attacking a ref but I cannot recall one involving a manager and a ref.

"We have sent a charge sheet to the club and they have a fortnight to respond. They can request a personal hearing if they wish."

Mr Topping confirmed that the Cleadon manager, Peter Quinn, had been charged with bringing the game into disrepute.

Under the FA rulebook, Mr Quinn faces a ban ranging from six months to life if he is found guilty of assaulting a match official.

A spokesman for Cleadon FC said: "We don't wish to say anything, it's in the hands of the FA."

Last September, former football talent scout Thomas Gerard Marron, 48, was bound over to keep the peace after admitting telling a referee who is a farmer: "I hope you get foot-and-mouth."

He had caused a match between Northern League sides Esh Winning and Penrith to be abandoned after hurling abuse at referee Russell Tiffin