Match Abandoned After Alleged Referee Sexist Abuse

A non-league lucifer was abandoned aft sexist maltreatment was allegedly aimed astatine a female referee, a shot nine has said.

AFC Rushden & Diamonds said its lucifer astatine Coventry Sphinx was called disconnected astatine half-time aft a remark from nan crowd of a "sexist nature" was heard being directed astatine her.

The Northamptonshire broadside said it was "deeply concerned and disappointed".

A spokesperson said it would "take nan strongest imaginable action" if it established nan personification responsible was associated pinch nan club.

"A remark of a sexist quality was allegedly directed toward nan female lucifer charismatic towards nan extremity of nan first half," said an AFC Rushden & Diamonds spokesperson, successful a statement posted connected X.

"Discriminatory connection aliases actions of immoderate benignant person perfectly nary spot wrong our organization nine aliases nan wider shot community."

Attempts to place nan individual were unsuccessful and nan matter had been reported to nan "relevant authorities", nan nine said.

The BBC has contacted nan Football Association and Coventry Sphinx for comment.

Speaking to nan club's in-house media aft nan match, Diamonds first squad head Elliot Sandy said nan referee stopped nan lucifer while nan culprit was removed from nan ground.

He said nan lucifer resumed, but that astatine half-time, she told nan squad she did not consciousness comfortable continuing.

"I evidently condemn what's happened today; there's nary spot for it successful shot and I consciousness really sorry for her that it has really happened," said Sandy.

The 2 sides some play successful nan Northern Premier League Midlands Division.

Diamonds said immoderate supporters who witnessed nan incident aliases who had accusation should interaction them.