BORO WALK OFF IN CUP RACE ROW
Haringey make a stand
HARINGEY BOROUGH walked off during their FA Cup fourth round qualifying tie after alleged racist abuse from fans in the Yeovil Town end.
Borough boss Tom Loizou took his players off the pitch in the 64th minute and the match was subsequently abandoned.
Just five days after England men’s senior team were racially abused during their Euro 2020 qualifier in Bulgaria, Haringey goalkeeper Valery Douglas Pajetat says he was spat at and hit by a bottle from the Yeovil end and then defender Coby Rowe was abused.
“He got racially abused and there was no way I could let him continue,” said Loizou. “I took the decision to take my team off.
“I haven’t done it for any other reason than looking into my players’ faces and seeing how distraught they were.”
The FA say they are “deeply concerned about the allegation of discrimination” and “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”.
A Yeovil statement added: “We will be cooperating with the authorities and our friends at Haringey Borough regarding events leading up to today’s fixture not being completed.
“We are aware that there are allegations that racist comments were made in the crowd and this allegation will be a key part of any investigation. Irrespective of the outcome, we would like to make it clear that the club will not accept racism or discrimination in any form.”
Tyrone Mings, the former Chippenham defender who was racially abused in England’s win over Bulgaria, tweeted: “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.”
TOM LOIZOU says there was no way he could let his Haringey Borough players continue after his players were allegedly racially abused by fans during their tie with Yeovil.
The match was halted in the 64th minute shortly after Rhys Murphy had put the visitors in front from the penalty spot.
Goalkeeper Valery Douglas Pajetat says he was spat at and hit by a bottle thrown from the Yeovil end before the penalty was taken and then after Murphy scored, defender Rowe was abused.
“It’s very distressing,” said manager Loizou, who took his players off the pitch following the incident.
“Coby Rowe got called names and to see the look on the kid’s face… He got racial ly abused and there was no way I could let him continue.
“I took action and just walked on the pitch and took my players off.
“I asked the referee if he could guarantee our safety and he said ‘no’. In the meantime, my players were talking among themselves with the captain and we decided not to go back on.
“The FA Cup is not worth that much to us, we’re never going to win it, good luck to Yeovil Town, if we get punished and slung out so be it, I really don’t care.
“Yeovil’s players and manager were different class. Their team tried to calm their supporters down, they tried their best and they supported us. They said, ‘if you’re walking off we’re walking off with you’.
“I took the decision to take my team off; I don’t want Yeovil to get punished for it. If we get thrown out of the cup and they go through there’s no hard feelings there. I haven’t done it for any other reason than looking into my players’ faces and seeing how distraught they were.”
Both teams walked out on the pitch together in a show of solidarity after the game had been abandoned and Yeovil boss Darren Sarll said: “No one should feel against when they come and play football.
“There’s no way I would support racial discrimination and the players and I, along with Scott [Priestnell, chairman] decided that we’d support and make a stand together and make that moment stronger. I feel like we have done the right thing.
“I’m guessing there will a lot of questions now on the outcome of the game but it’s not important in the scheme of things.
“We’ve got a new friend in Haringey and we will work with anyone we need to in order to come to the right outcome.”