POLICE are appealing for witnesses to an alleged eye-gouging incident during a rugby match which blinded a player in one eye .

Clarence Harding, 26, was blinded in his right eye while playing an away game for Gravesend Rugby Club against Maidstone at Mote Park last month.

He claims his eye was intentionally gouged by an opposition player, and Kent police are appealing for witnesses to the incident, which happened in the first half of the game on January 17, at 2.39pm.

Detective Sergeant Nicholas Sparkes is leading the investigation, and has asked anyone with information to call him on 01622 690690 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.

Events planner Mr Harding said: "I would like the player to be charged, to be punished."

Describing the incident, he said: “I was on the floor presenting the ball for my team-mates when I felt a finger sticking into the corner of my eye.

“I opened my left eye to see what was going on and that was when the initial pain set in.

“When you open one eye the other wants to open and as soon as I did there was a stream of blood pouring out.

“I knew something was wrong immediately. I was rushed to hospital in Maidstone and went straight into surgery, and was kept in hospital for more surgery on Monday and Tuesday.

“On Thursday I went back for a check-up and that was when they told me that I had lost the vision.”

Maidstone Rugby Club says it will not be carrying out an internal inquiry into the incident while the police investigation is ongoing.

This means the player Mr Harding claims assaulted him is free to carry on playing for the team.

A spokesman for the Rugby Football Union is compiling reports from both clubs and assisting the police investigation.

Mr Harding, of Kitchener Avenue, Gravesend, says the injury is still causing him pain and is considering suing the Maidstone player if he is not charged by the police.