After viewing photographs of Mr Balls’ challenge on Rob Merrick, former top referee Graham Poll said the portly Shadow Chancellor was lucky not to have been sent off. The shadow chancellor yesterday morning left an opposition player bloodied and bandaged after clashing during an annual MPs versus journalists football match at the Labour Party conference. Mr Balls caught the Northern Echo’s Westminster correspondent Rob Merrick with a thumping forearm as they challenged for the ball during this morning’s game in Manchester. Scroll down for video Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls tackles journalist Rob Merick as they take part in the Labour MP's v Lobby Journalist football match this morning
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Shadow chancellor  caught Northern Echo reporter Rob Merrick with his arm during a football match in Manchester
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Merrick was forced to leave the pitch to get patched up by St John's Ambulance crew on the sidelines
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He was left with blood pouring down his face after the clash with 'Bruiser' Balls - a weighty centre forward
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The reporter, a combative central midfielder, later took himself to accident and emergency on a bus
@placeholder lifts up the winning trophy for the lobby team, with his injuries from the Shadow Chancellor  clearly evident