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Haringey players walk off after racism allegations in Yeovil FA Cup tie Haringey players walk off after racism allegations in Yeovil FA Cup tie
(about 2 hours later)
The FA Cup fourth-qualifying-round tie between Haringey Borough and Yeovil was abandoned after allegations that a home player was racially abused. The Football Association says it is “deeply concerned’’ after the FA Cup fourth-qualifying-round tie between Haringey Borough and Yeovil was abandoned following allegations that home players were racially abused.
The home players walked off the field 64 minutes in, shortly after Yeovil had scored. “Sorry for the late update but wanted to make sure we gave correct information,” said a post on the official Haringey Borough Twitter account. “Game has been abandoned following racial abuse. Horrendous afternoon. It must be said that 99.9% of YTFC fans are also disgusted by what’s happened as much as we are. One club, one community.” Yeovil were leading 1-0 with just over an hour played when Haringey’s players, under the direction of manager Tom Loizou, walked off the pitch. The initial target of the abuse was reported to be Haringey’s goalkeeper Valery Pajetat.
A post on the Haringey Borough Twitter account stated: “Game has been abandoned following racial abuse. Horrendous afternoon. It must be said that 99.9% of @YTFC fans are also disgusted by what’s happened as much as we are.”
England Euro 2020 qualifier in Sofia halted twice over racist abuseEngland Euro 2020 qualifier in Sofia halted twice over racist abuse
Yeovil were leading 1-0 when Haringey’s players walked off the field, with the target of the abuse reported to be goalkeeper Valery Pajetat. Ben James, a Haringey fan, was at the game and gave the PA news agency his account. The incident took place after Yeovil were awarded a penalty, with Pajetat appearing to be struck by an object thrown from the crowd. In the aftermath, Loizou walked on to the pitch and took his players off, with Yeovil’s players joining them. After a lengthy delay, the game was abandoned.
“We were stood toward the other end so can’t comment on what we heard,” he said. “But it all began when the referee gave Yeovil a penalty. It seemed like their fans were trying to wind up the Haringey goalie by shaking the net and the like. Loizou told the BBC: “It’s very distressing. We’ve worked hard all week, we’re a small club, looking forward to it all day, and the abuse a few of my players got was disgusting. My goalkeeper was spat at and had a bottle thrown at him.
“Valery [Pajeta, the Haringey keeper] went towards their fans and seemed to have a bit of a conversation before coming away as if he’d been hit with something. The referee then removed what looked like a bottle or a can. There was a bit of a pause while the referee dealt with what went on and players from both sides tried to quell what had gone on. “After they took the penalty my number six Coby Rowe got called names, and to see the look on the kid’s face … he’s been racially abused and there was no way I could let them continue. I took my own action, walked on the pitch and took my players off. I asked the referee if he could guarantee the players safety and he said no. Meantime the players were talking and we all decided not to go back on.
“The penalty was taken and the Haringey manager marched straight on and withdrew his players as this was happening. The Haringey players seemed pretty agitated, Coby Rowe in particular having to be held back. The players of both sides return to the pitch as a show of solidarity. #YTFC pic.twitter.com/yAlV44MYrf
“I’m a Haringey fan, have been coming to games for a couple of years. They came back on [both Yeovil and Haringey players] to applaud the fans but that was it. But the game is abandoned. There were a few stewards but the police have been called since and are here now.” “They’ve all seen [racist abuse] on TV, they’ve all heard what goes on but to actually be subjected to it by people standing 10, 15 feet away, they’ve never had that type of experience. I had a look at their faces, they were distraught, so I took them off.
“Yeovil’s manager and players were different class. Their team tried their best to calm their supporters down, and they said if you’re walking off, we’re walking off with you.”
Rowe later tweeted: “Can’t believe I’m tweeting this and it’s 2019 but today I was a victim of racism in what was supposed to be a great day for @HaringeyBoroFC. Another game of football ruined by racists. Thanks to @YTFC players and staff who backed our decision to leave the pitch.”
The Football Association said in a statement: “There is no room for discrimination in our game and we are working with the match officials and the relevant authorities, as a matter of urgency, to fully establish the facts and take the appropriate steps.”
The anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out praised the “swift and decisive action” taken by Loizou, “similar to that taken by the England team out in Bulgaria just five days ago”. Tyrone Mings, targeted in Bulgaria, added his support, saying “everyone stands with you”.
Well done for taking a stance, sometimes it can get brushed off in lower leagues but everyone stands with you. Our country isn’t perfect either. https://t.co/Wl70fErZBP
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