The Football Association (FA) has launched an investigation into alleged racial abuse which resulted in an FA Cup match being abandoned on Saturday.
The second-qualifying-round tie between National League North side Hereford and Sporting Khalsa, who play in the eighth tier, was abandoned on 67 minutes after a lengthy stoppage due to the alleged abuse of Khalsa goalkeeper Ravan Constable. Hereford were 2-1 up at the time.
The FA issued a statement on Sunday saying it was “very concerned” about the allegation and that “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 ensure the appropriate action is taken.”
Khalsa said in a statement the abuse was “audible” and confirmed an investigation had been launched.
“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,” the statement read. “An investigation has been started, and we would like to thank the match officials and the officials from Hereford for their assistance in this.”
Hereford said they would “work closely with all parties involved” in the investigation and that the club “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,” Hereford’s statement added.
The Athletic have contacted West Midlands Police for comment.
Hereford’s head coach, Paul Caddis, said “the right decision was made” to abandon the match, and that Saturday was “the saddest day I’ve had at the football club”.
“Absolute disgrace,” Caddis said. “Not welcome in society, not welcome in football clubs. If you want to act like that, 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 as best an experience as possible for people.
“We’re human beings, first and foremost, nowadays people think they can pay what they want and all rules go out the window.
“We stand by Sporting Khalsa, their goalkeeper, I was the first one to suggest we make a stance. We have Black players on our team, what’s going through their mind? That is not a representation of our supporters, but sadly today it is. I hope the book gets thrown at him, I don’t want him here. I’m absolutely seething, what an absolute idiot.”
In 2019, an FA Cup qualifying match between Yeovil Town and Haringey Borough was abandoned after an incident of racist abuse in the second half. The match was replayed over a week later.
Sporting Khalsa became the first Asian semi-professional football club in the country to own its own ground in 2005. They have undertaken several initiatives around inclusion in football, including the FA’s Reflective and Representative campaign, which aims to recruit 1,000 people from Black, Asian and mixed heritage backgrounds into refereeing roles.
(Photo: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)