Piddling ban lifted on Wellington soccer team

Soccer officials have rescinded a ban on an entire Wellington's men's grade after a player urinated on the city's new artificial pitch.

Capital Football blew the whistle on the Masters Two competition after the June 18 incident in Berhampore, banning eight teams from artificial turfs for the rest of the season, The Dominion Post reported today.

The player concerned was given a six-game ban and fined $300.

But the ban was lifted after Wellington City Council strategy and policy committee chairman Andy Foster and his teammates in Karori masters team went "ballistic" demanding Capital Football show leniency.

Capital Football has now said the ban will affect only the offender's Brooklyn Northern United team and a North Wellington side that angered officials by drinking beers from a chillybin on the pitch after another game.

- NZPA