"Football often suppresses my ticks, but I cannot control them when I get upset or stressed. He [the referee] just really stressed me out."

-- The 14-year-old goalkeeper Owen Thompson, who is the center of a controversy in English youth soccer because he was banned for two games and fined $40 for telling a referee to "f*** off" -- but he suffers from Tourette Syndrome. Upon appeal, the punishment was downgraded to one game and a $25 fine. Hertfordshire FA chief Nick Perchard said: “The player swore at the referee and then refused to talk to him when asked to explain his actions. The committee decided the lack of respect shown was not connected to his medical condition." (Mirror)