Football match abandoned following alleged racist incident at Whitchurch

The assistant referee reported hearing a racist comment about a Tividale player and the visitors refused to complete the second-half with the match cancelled at half-time.

A club statement read: "Based on the information at the time, we are disappointed that management and players of Tividale FC refused to play the game yesterday 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.

"There was an alleged incident midway through the first half, that a racist comment about a Tividale player, was made by a member of the crowd which was overheard by the assistant referee.

"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."

The club has appealed for witnesses to the incident to come forward as well as further alleged incidents when the Tividale players and management were leaving the ground.

The statement continued: "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."