Players took to walk off the pitch in the 80th minute of the 10th tier game at the weekend after fans became ‘racially abusive’.
The Midland Football League Division One match saw Droitwich Spa play host to Wednesfield, and the home side were 4-2 up, only for it to be abandoned after 80 minutes on Saturday.
Racist remarks were heard from those in the stands towards Wednesfield players in the dugout, a spokesperson for the club said.
As the captain today of @ClubWednesfield I made the decision to withdraw my players due to racist comments made by fans @DroitSpaFC it shouldn’t happen whatever the level, whatever the score this doesn’t matter let’s make a stand 😤😤😤
— Matt Martin (Ginna) (@ginna_matt) August 12, 2023
We all spoke about it but I was skipper ref called me over, I had the final choice by the ref to make the right choice which I stood by! But the club all the staff an players stuck together !
— Matt Martin (Ginna) (@ginna_matt) August 12, 2023
In a statement, Droitwich Spa directors have since apologised to their opponents, saying:
Droitwich Spa FC condemn all forms of discrimination and will deal with individuals concerned in the strongest possible manner and would like to firmly reiterate our zero tolerance policy towards racism or discrimination of any kind.
An incident occurred at yesterday’s Midland Football League Division One match played between Droitwich Spa FC and Wednesfield FC, which resulted in the match being abandoned in the 80th minute.
This followed a comment from a spectator to a substitute warming up on the sideline.
As a club we support positive action to highlight unacceptable behaviour.
No one should be subjected to abuse whilst playing football and any form of discrimination or racial abuse is completely unacceptable.
We unreservedly apologise to the Wednesfield FC player the comment was directed at.
We do also have to acknowledge the welfare and safeguarding aspect of the young supporter involved in the incident and will be establishing the full nature and intention of the comment directed at the player, and ensure they have the understanding the impact comments can have.
We would also like to apologise to all individuals left upset and traumatised at the events at the ground yesterday.
Players, coaches, match officials and volunteers deserve to feel safe on the field of play, and around the football ground. Safe from physical attack, but also safe from abusive and discriminatory comments that cannot be tolerated.
Attending matches does not give the right to direct abuse that would not be acceptable in any other environment.
This needs to be dealt with at Droitwich Spa FC and across football.
The football authorities had representatives at the match, and Droitwich Spa officials met with them following the conclusion of the game.
We will continue dialogue as the full facts are established and will follow any guidance going forward.
Finally, football is a wonderful sport.
It brings communities together, can be played by individuals of different abilities, and should be a cause for good.
We cannot allow incidents and circumstances like those witnessed yesterday to be repeated which negatively affects our own players, staff and volunteers, and that of our visitors.
–
Wednesfield said they had “made a stand against it” and told match officials before the team left the pitch.
Players and club officials were even booed as they walked off, they added.
“The Droitwich players and staff were in support and understood our decision why we chose to leave the field of play to which we are grateful,” the club said as per BBC Sport.
A spokesperson for Worcestershire FA adds that an investigation was launched into a report of discrimination during the fixture.
“Discrimination has no place in football or society and we treat all allegations of such abhorrent behaviour very seriously,” it added.
This incident came just four days after Droitwich Spa said an allegation about the behaviour of one of their supporters also came in another home game, against Bilston Town with Droitwich saying on Wednesday an investigation was under way.
JOINT STATEMENT – BILSTON TOWN CFC & WEDNESFIELD CFC
Following the events of the last six days, where our Clubs have been subjected to unacceptable and intolerable racial discrimination and abuse, we feel it appropriate to issue the following statement.
Whilst we are rivals on the pitch, we stand united in our condemnation and disgust at any form of discrimination, intimidation or abuse, and invite others to stand with us. Both incidents are now in the hands of Worcestershire FA and the FA Headquarters in London.
We appreciate they will need time to decide what sanctions are to be imposed, and we trust that they will reach the right decisions.
Both teams have received praise for the way in which each incident was dealt with at the time and we thank you all for your supportive comments.
We would encourage you to report every instance of discrimination in whatever form so that this behaviour can be stamped out once and for all.
Following the events of the last six days, where our Clubs have been subjected to unacceptable and intolerable racial discrimination and abuse, we feel it appropriate to issue the following statement.
Whilst we are rivals on the pitch, we stand united in our condemnation and disgust at any form of discrimination, intimidation or abuse, and invite others to stand with us. Both incidents are now in the hands of Worcestershire FA and the FA Headquarters in London.
We appreciate they will need time to decide what sanctions are to be imposed, and we trust that they will reach the right decisions.
Both teams have received praise for the way in which each incident was dealt with at the time and we thank you all for your supportive comments.
We would encourage you to report every instance of discrimination in whatever form so that this behaviour can be stamped out once and for all.
Denise Frankham
Club Chair – Bilston Town CFC
Graham Hyde
Club Chairman – Wednesfield CFC
This is how social media users reacted as players walk off the pitch in the 80th minute of the 10th tier game after fans became ‘racially abusive’…
@Barnspaul31: Well done and respect to Wednesfield players, managers and supporters. One of our supporters (Bilston) was subject to foul racist abuse at Droitwich on Tuesday. Well done for having none of it. Serious questions need to be asked about Droitwich Spa and their supporters.
@hinckleyafcfan: Well done gents for walking off 👏🏻. Can’t believe it’s still in the game… hopefully the league act on this in the appropriate manner @MidlandLeague
@JohnnyGriffo7: What I have witnessed today is completely astonishing. There is absolutely no room for racism in society or in our beautiful game. @ClubWednesfield I am proud of my team and club for how we conducted ourselves and decided to leave the field of play and make a stand. #notoracism
@Zaki_Evans: Happened at your place [Wednesfield] to me personally 2 seasons ago and you stopped the game dealt with it and we carried on, proper club standing up for what’s right👍🏽
@DdpDaily: Unfortunately we all know nothing will be done about it will the league step in and deduct pts? @MidlandLeague @TheeFAOfficial. Or will it just be a little fine and pls don’t do it again ?
@Craigprince16: Well done Wednesfield I personally stood up against racists from this club on Tuesday it’s 2023 not 1963 about time racism was stamped out of football I’m proud to support bilston town a club that doesn’t accept racism pleased you didn’t either
@ronxn21: What a group we have here. We took a stand together. No room for RACISM and for the fans booing us off as we walked off. Have hard look at yourself.
@spena2k10: Disgusting that racism knows no boundaries. It doesn’t belong anywhere, especially in football. Fair play to Wednesfield FC. I wish some professional teams did this.
@NathWalker1990: We will see how seriously they take “let’s kick rasicm out of football” with how they deal with this. Second time this week I’m hearing
@DanielLeather7: Get the club out the league
@pedalsingh:
Twice in a week from them..
They chose to do nothing first time
Well done for taking a stand 🙏🏾
You must be logged in to post a comment Login