ByDanny Caro, Danny Caro
Wingate & Finchley chairman Aron Sharpe remained tight-lipped after his club’s Ryman League match against relegation rivals Thurrock was abandoned after the Blues had five players sent off.
Scott Shulton, the only Jewish player in the team, was the fifth player dismissed, forcing referee Sam Purkiss to call a premature halt to proceedings in an extraordinary contest at the Harry Abrahams Stadium. The midfielder was shown a straight red for using offensive, abusive and insulting language towards the official.
Sunday’s match was one of three games selected to promote a special ‘non-league football against discrimination’ weekend organised by the Ryman League and Kick It Out.
In a statement, Sharpe said: “The club has taken the appropriate steps to address the issue with regard to the game. We do not feel it appropriate to comment on any aspect until such time as the referee’s report is made available.”
Thurrock were leading 1-0 when the match was abandoned in the closing stages and the league has confirmed the result will stand.
Thurrock chairman Tommy South said: “It was an absolute disgrace. I thought Wingate were trying to get the game abandoned. I’ve never seen anything like it and I’ve been in non-league football for 35 years.
“We might have scored more and if we get relegated on goal difference, having the game abandoned could be costly.”