A non-league footballer is under investigation by Hertfordshire police after allegedly wielding a knife at an opposition fan, with the player given a life ban by his club, Sawbridgeworth Town.
The incident occurred towards the end of an Essex Senior League fixture between Sawbridgeworth and Clapton at Crofters End ground in Hertfordshire on Saturday.
The tier-nine match was abandoned by the referee, Mario Stetakovic, on 95 minutes because of the incident. It is alleged that after being spat at by a Clapton fan the Sawbridgeworth player retrieved a knife and threatened the supporter.
In a statement released to the Guardian, Sawbridgeworth’s secretary, Richard Hogg, said: “The club are helping Hertfordshire FA, who in turn are working with the local police force to investigate an alleged incident at an adult non-league football game at Sawbridgeworth Town FC. Rather than wait until the end of the investigation, we have already taken action regarding this matter and have suspended the player with immediate effect.
“He will never play for the club again and has been given a life ban from the ground. Following a thorough investigation of this incident, any individuals found guilty of improper conduct will receive sanctions from the FA that may include an immediate suspension from all football, in addition to a potential criminal charge.
“The club hosts football games from the age of eight years upwards, every week during the season, and we take all reports of violent, aggressive and/or threatening behaviour very seriously.”
Hertfordshire FA confirmed to the Guardian that it was working with the police to investigate.
On Saturday evening a Clapton fan tweeted that another had apparently spat at the player. He wrote: “It appears a Clapton fan spat at an opposing player today. This is not what Clapton Ultras are about and we do not condone it.”
When this was put to Clapton’s chief executive, Vincent McBean, he said: “We are trying to get to the root of the matter. We are unaware at the moment even if the fan is a he or a she but once the full facts are known the club along with the relevant football authorities will take whatever action is required.”
Peter Dudley, a local football reporter, was at the game. He said: “I did see the player in question go down the tunnel and return. The situation seemed to be calmed down fairly briskly though so well done to the players, officials and fans for thwarting a more serious problem.
“I’m not sure what guidelines the referee had for these situations but it seems he had no choice – the player in question was back in the dressing room whilst the other players seemed rather confused/shocked as to what went on. It was a very weird and concerning way for a game to end, I’ve never heard of anything like it before and I certainly wouldn’t want to experience it ever again.”
Hertfordshire police, the Herts FA and Sawbridgeworth declined a request to confirm the player’s identity because he is under investigation.