There have been ugly scenes within the Northern Premier League this weekend as a mass brawl broke out involving each players and fans, forcing the match to be abandoned.
High-flying Avro had stormed to a 6-0 lead of their one-sided contest with mid-table Kidsgrove Athletic, well on target to secure a thumping victory when the unsavoury incident occurred.
There had already been two red cards in the sport before tempers escalated within the 84th minute, with pitchside footage showing punches being thrown and beers flying behind the goal.
While it’s unclear what exactly sparked the violent fracas, videos circulating on social media show two individuals pushing and shoving before each sets of players are dragged into the melee.
At one point, with several young children clearly visible behind him within the stand, the visiting Kidsgrove Athletic goalkeeper is seen striking a fan within the face with some force over the promoting hoarding at Avro’s Vestacare Stadium.
The referee had little option but to explode and convey the match to an instantaneous and premature halt, with possible sanctions looming for each teams.
The consequence of the bad-tempered affair stays uncertain at this stage. It is probably going the clash can have to be replayed at a late date.
WARNING: STRONG LANGUAGE
A spokesperson for Avro said the club were ‘appalled’ by the behaviour of those Kidsgrove Athletic players and fans involved within the confrontation.
In accordance with Avro, who sit fourth within the league, the brawl broke out after a member of Kidsgrove’s management team was given his marching orders.
‘Today’s game between Avro and Kidsgrove was abandoned within the 84th minute,’ the statement read.
‘We as a club are appalled with the behaviour of a few of the fans, players and officials of Kidsgrove Athletic.
‘We are going to support and cooperate with each the NPL and FA of their investigation of the incidents which occurred within the 84th minute of today’s game.’
The statement continued: ‘Avro were leading 6-0 on the time of the event against Kidsgrove 9 men because of two players earlier being shown red cards on the sector of play.’
‘The incident followed the dismissal of considered one of the Kidsgrove management team who wasn’t on the sector of play.
‘We are going to await the reports of the referee and FA. No further comment shall be comprised of ourselves on this matter.’
Kidsgrove were also quick to sentence the violence while confirming that they’d be cooperating fully with each the Northern Premier League and the FA in any impending investigations.
‘Following the abandonment of today’s fixture between Avro FC and Kidsgrove Athletic, we’re aware of the statement released by Avro FC,’ the statement read.
‘Kidsgrove Athletic shall be submitting a full report back to the Northern Premier League and the FA regarding the events that took place. We are going to fully cooperate with any investigation and await the findings before making any further comment.
‘As a club, we don’t condone any type of inappropriate behaviour. We remain committed to upholding the values of respect and sportsmanship each on and off the pitch.’
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