Idiotic ... Cawley's attack on Wednesday keeper Chris Kirkland was captured by TV cameras
THE FAMILY of football yob Aaron Cawley have defended his shocking attack on goalkeeper Chris Kirkland - insisting it was was just a "slap".
Leeds yob Cawley, 21, has been jailed for four months after running onto the pitch and decking the Sheffield Wednesday keeper live on TV last week.Cameras caught him hitting Kirkland with both hands before dashing back to the stands laughing and celebrating.
A court heard how smirking Cawley had downed ten pints of cider before the game and couldn't remember anything about the attack.
He had also been banned from Leeds games in the past after taking part in a riot in 2007.
But incredibly family members are standing by him.
Justice ... yob Cawley is led away from court in cuffs
Ross Parry
The family member - who wished to remain anonymous - said: "Four months is a lot for giving someone a slap. It wouldn’t be so serious if it happened in a factory or in any other workplace in the country.
”But because it was on TV and so many people were watching they made an example of him.”
As well as a jail sentence, Cawley has been banned from Leeds United games for life.
The relative added: ”Aaron is devastated about what happened. But he has said he is sorry.
”He has apologised to both clubs, and now he is going to do his time.
“He is obviously banned from going to Leeds matches for the rest of his life, which he is gutted about.
“But what you saw on TV is not normally like him. Aaron is a good lad and the guys he was with at the match are decent lads too.
”It was just the amount of alcohol he had. He is genuinely sorry.”
Leeds United have also spoken out to criticise Cawley's sentence - but they insist it was too light.
A statement from the club reads: "While we are pleased to see justice brought so quickly, our one disappointment is that we feel the sentence could, and should, have been considerably longer."
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