Ninth tier match abandoned as team refuses to play on after alleged racist comment made

A match in the ninth tier of English football had to be abandoned as a team refuses to play on after an alleged racist comment made.

It is claimed that a racist comment was made by a fan at Whitchurch Alport towards a Tividale player during the first half, which was overheard by an assistant referee.

The Tividale players and staff refused to start the second half and the officials abandoned the game at the break, with Alport leading 3-0.

Tividale are yet to comment publicly on the incident, however at the time tweeted, saying: “Match Abandoned. We will update when all the facts are in.”

Alport have released a statement confirmed that the incident will be investigated.

The statement read: “Based on the information at the time, we are disappointed that management and players of Tividale FC refused to play the game as the teams were about to commence the second half, thereby forcing the referee to abandon the match. We apologise to supporters and visitors to the game that the match was abandoned.

“It is important to state that, at this stage, this alleged incident is unsubstantiated and will be subject to a full investigation by the FA.

“Whitchurch Alport FC will be working with the authorities and will be submitting evidence relating to the alleged incident and incidents that followed when the Tividale FC players and management were leaving the ground. We would urge any witnesses to the alleged racist comment, or to incidents following the abandonment of the game and the players and management of Tividale FC to come forward and make a statement to the club.

“Whitchurch FC will not tolerate any abuse of any nature and we will continue to work closely with the relevant bodies to ensure that our ground is a safe and welcoming environment for all supporters, staff and players.

“No further statements will be made by the club on this incident until all investigations have been completed by the appropriate authorities.”

This is what social media users said on the ninth tier match which was abandoned as the Tividale team refuses to play on after an alleged racist comment made…

@kiddyvilla1: Unbelievable response to racist allegations

@Dave_the_Wolf: Interesting in condemning racist behaviour but being disappointed when a team acts on it – mixed messaging

@Jonah_238: Horrific statement.

@jsmith6792: What a honking football club !! Disgrace the lot if you !

@shewardjon1:
@alportfc How can you make a comment like that with no evidence or investigation?
From what I see Whitchurch is a very well run community club so get off your high horse and wait for the facts….

@Johnsie7: I’m sorry but this ‘Club Statement’ is a complete and utter shambles – You, as a ‘Football Club’ should be seriously ashamed. As aforementioned in previous replies, the first paragraph of the statement just about sums the situation/your football club up. Feeble. Disgrace.

@loganstfc: So ya say ya don’t tolerate any abuse but say ya disappointed when a team actually acted on abuse? Bizarre

@whitey85__: Shocking statement

@OFGraphicz: Unfortunate to hear about racism. Hope it gets sorted, #KickItOut

@greengreengras: Totally agree Ollie and if it is proven then yes totally agree with you…

@stephenmay99: Assistant manager at whitchurch alport football club for 6 years and proud. Those of you that know me will know I’m mixed race and know I don’t tolerate any form of racist comments. Half of you lot that are commenting on twitter haven’t got a clue what your talking about.

@alport_i: You are being kind that only half don’t know what they are talking about. They’ll all be nowhere to be seen when truth is told.

@Keeno09: If you will not tolerate any racist abuse then why state you are ‘disappointed’ that Tivi never came out for the 2nd half. If it’s been heard by players and the assistant ref then that’s enough evidence already for it to be an incident and not an ‘alleged’ incident 🤦🏻‍♂️ #kickitout

@SiJohnsonSJUS:
“NO FURTHER COMMENT UNTIL FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS”
Or some might say
“NO FURTHER COMMENT UNTIL WE HAVE EXPLORED ALL AVENUES TO GET OURSELVES OUT THE 💩”.
Heartless……And whoever runs the Twitter account needs a clip round the 👂 maybe they would find that funny too 👍🏽

@matty263: Absolutely disgraceful opening paragraph tells everyone the true stance. Shambolic ignorance

@Mitchelltolley2: Scummy basturds ✊🏻💦💦💦

@andyhughes1610: Alleged? What shit you smoking? The clubs statement “racism comment heard by the assistant referee” @alportfc calling the assistant referee a liar?

@reeceissuperman: Absolute wankers utter scum bags from the bored to supporters by the sounds of things this statement is a joke. I hope you get kicked out the league utter WANKERS

@AVFCFanB6: Surely if the comment was overheard by the assistant that is evidence enough that the game should be abandoned? Both clubs should support that decision and definitely not be “disappointed” that one club decided to make the proper stand! Shocking statement

@AllsportJoe: What an awful club statement. Also, “overheard by the assistant referee” is a shambles of a phrase. Overheard heavily implies that the comment wasn’t supposed to be heard by anyone else and it would’ve been absolutely fine if that meddling linesman didn’t get involved

@CBabington1: That’s a shocking statement 😳🙈

@AlfieBloomer: ‘Disappointed in Tividale’ What a shambles of a club. As if this is their Club Statement. If I’m part of the club, I’d be embarrassed.

pic.twitter.com/lW8hS5vVID

— Logan 🍋🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 (@loganstfc) November 6, 2022