THE FA have released a statement following the abandonment of an FA Cup Second Qualifying Round clash on Saturday.
The tie between Sporting Khalsa and Hereford was abandoned after 67 minutes following alleged racial abuse targeted at a player.
Statements from both clubs suggest that alleged racist abuse was targeted at Sporting Khalsa goalkeeper Ravan Constable.
An FA spokesperson has since said: “We are very concerned about the allegation of discrimination from an area of the crowd during the Emirates FA Cup Second Round Qualifying fixture between Sporting Khalsa FC and Hereford FC.
“The match was subsequently abandoned and the next steps for the tie will be confirmed in due course.
“Incidents of this nature will not be tolerated in our game, and we will work with the match officials, the clubs and the relevant authorities to establish the facts and and ensure the appropriate action is taken.”
Sporting Khalsa released a statement of their own, condemning the alleged abuse.
It read: “Racism and discrimination have no place in football. Sporting Khalsa are proud of our diversity, and the diversity in the community that we represent and are based in – we will not let hatred divide us, or our game.”
While Hereford’s statement added: “As a club, we will not stand for any discriminatory behaviour.
“Any individual found responsible will be dealt with in the sternest possible manner, including police involvement as necessary.”
Local reports have suggested that goalkeeper Constable confronted the individual accused of racial abuse in the crowd.
Before the referee decided to abandon the game and the managers of both side led their players off the pitch.
Hereford boss Paul Caddis labelled the incident as “a disgrace” following the abandonment, calling for strict action to be taken against the individual responsible.
The former Scotland international said: “Aabsolute disgrac. Disgrace. Not welcome in society, not welcome at football clubs.
“If you want to act like that and use language like that, don’t come back to this football club. We have worked tirelessly as a football club the last couple of years to make it the best experience as possible for people.
“We’re human beings, we’re human beings first and foremost. Nowadays, I don’t know what it is in society, people think they can pay what they want come through the door and all rules go out the window.
He added: “It’s a disgrace. An absolute disgrace. We stand by Sporting Khalsa and their goalkeeper.
“I was the first one to suggest that we make a stance. I don’t think it’s right. We’ve got black players in our team. I don’t know who it is, what has gone through their mind?”
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