English soccer match abandoned after alleged ‘sexist’ abuse of referee

A non-League soccer match in England was abandoned at half-time following alleged “sexist” abuse of a female referee, one of the participating clubs has said.

AFC Rushden & Diamonds say their game at Coventry Sphinx on Saturday in the Northern Premier League Midlands Division was called off after a “comment of a sexist nature” was aimed at the referee.

A club statement from Diamonds said the club “will take the strongest possible action in line with our club policies and values,” and they were “deeply concerned and disappointed” with the incident.

The Northamptonshire club added: “Attempts to identify the individual were unsuccessful.

“The matter has been reported to the relevant authorities, and we will fully support and cooperate with any investigations that follow. If it is established that the individual responsible is connected with AFC Rushden & Diamonds, we will take the strongest possible action in line with our club policies and values.”

A statement from home side Coventry Sphinx said: “Discriminatory language or actions have no place at Coventry Sphinx, nor should they in any walk of life.”

The Athletic has contacted the Football Association for comment.

Diamonds manager Elliot Sandy spoke to official club media and said that the alleged comment was made during the first half, causing a temporary pause in the match.

“Someone in the crowd had accused her personally and she requested that the person be removed or the game would be abandoned,” Sandy said.

“That person was removed, as far as I’m aware, and we carried on, but she came in again at half-time and she did not feel her head was 100 per cent in it.”

Sandy added: “I obviously condemn what’s happened today; there’s no place for it in football and I feel really sorry for her that it has actually happened.”

Diamonds led 1-0 at the time of the match being abandoned, after a Bruno Andrade penalty in the 36th minute.

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