FA Cup Tie in London Abandoned Over Alleged Racist Abuse From Fans

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An FA Cup qualifying match in north London was abandoned on Saturday, October 19, after home side Haringey Borough left the pitch, alleging that fans of the opposing Yeovil Town FC directed racist abuse at several of their players.

Haringey Borough’s manager Tom Loizou told the BBC that the team’s goalkeeper, Cameroonian national Valery Douglas Pajetat, was “racially abused,” “spat at and had a bottle thrown at him” as Yeovil Town were taking a penalty kick.

Another Haringey Borough player, Coby Rowe, was also subject to racist abuse, Loizou said.

On Twitter, Rowe said: “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.”

Loizou said players were “distraught” and that the FA Cup wasn’t worth enough to the team to continue playing.

Yeovil Town FC also took their team off the pitch and issued a statement saying it did “not accept racism or discrimination in any form.”

Speaking on the pitch after the incident, Yeovil Town’s manager Darren Sarll said “no one should feel discriminated against when they to play football,” and said “there is no way I would support racial discrimination.”

Sarll said a decision was made between the two teams to “make a stand together,” and praised Loizou’s decision. “We’re fully with them,” he said.

The footage here shows players returning to the pitch as a “show of solidarity.”

Haringey Borough FC, who play in the Isthmian League Premier Division, "described the afternoon as “horrendous,”":https://twitter.com/HaringeyBoroFC/status/1185589362278436864 adding that “99.9 percent” of Yeovil Town fans were “also disgusted by what’s happened.”

The FA said on Twitter that it was “deeply concerned about the allegation of discrimination” at the match. “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,” it said. Credit: Yeovil Town FC via Storyful