Haringey Borough manager backs decision to walk off vs Yeovil after alleged racist abuse: ‘If we get punished, I don’t care’

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Tom Doyle19 October 2019

Haringey Borough manager Tom Loizou insists that potential expulsion from the FA Cup is the least of his concerns after his side's cup qualifier at Yeovil Town was abandoned.

Saturday's FA Cup fourth-qualifying-round tie between Haringey and Yeovil was abandoned after allegations that a home player was racially abused.

The home players walked off the field 64 minutes in, shortly after Yeovil had scored.

Yeovil were leading 1-0 when Haringey's players walked off the field, with the target of the abuse initially reported to be goalkepeer Valery Pajetat.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 live after the game, Haringey boss Loizou explained that Pajetat was spat at, had a bottle thrown at him, while fellow Borough player Coby Rowe was then racially abused.

The Football Association released a statement saying it was "deeply concerned" about the allegations of racism.

It remains to be seen what action the FA will take, though the governing body will likely wait for the referee's match report to be filed before taking any decisions. Yeovil are likely to face potential punishment, though Haringey may be in danger if FA protocols regarding their walk-off were not correctly followed.

Loizou fully backed the decision to take his players off the pitch, and said that a potential expulsion from the competition was not his priority.

"It's very distressing. The abuse a few of my players got was disgusting," he said.

"We've worked hard all week, had a great experience in the FA Cup last season and a silly two minutes has taken everything away from us.

"It wasn't consistent throughout the game. They got a penalty and as they were lining up to take it, my goalkeeper got spat at and had a bottle thrown at him.

"The referee managed to calm things down, they took the penalty and then my number six - Coby Rowe - got called names. He got racially abused and there was no way I could let him continue.

"The FA Cup's not worth that much to us. We are never going to win it. Good luck to Yeovil Town if we get punished and thrown out, all be it, I don't care."

The FA's full statement read: "We are deeply concerned about the allegation of discrimination from an area of the crowd towards a player during the FA Cup fourth round qualifying match between Haringey Borough and Yeovil Town, which resulted in the fixture being abandoned.

"There is no room for discrimination in our game and we 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."

Ben James, a Haringey fan, was at the game and gave the PA news agency his account.

"We were stood toward the other end so can't comment on what we heard," he said. "But it all began when the referee gave Yeovil a penalty. It seemed like their fans were trying to wind up the Haringey goalie by shaking the net and the like.

"Valery (Pajeta, the Haringey keeper) went towards their fans and seemed to have a bit of a conversation before coming away as if he'd been hit with something. The referee then removed what looked like a bottle or a can. There was a bit of a pause while the referee dealt with what went on and players from both sides tried to quell what had gone on.

"The penalty was taken and the Haringey manager marched straight on and withdrew his players as this was happening. The Haringey players seemed pretty agitated, Coby Rowe in particular having to be held back.

"I'm a Haringey fan, have been coming to games for a couple of years. They came back on (both Yeovil and Haringey players) to applaud the fans but that was it.

"But the game is abandoned. There were a few stewards but the police have been called since and are here now."

The football anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out praised the "swift and decisive action" taken by the Haringey manager Tom Loizou and his players, comparing their response to that of the England team in last week's Euro 2020 qualifier in Bulgaria.

Kick It Out said in a statement on Twitter: "The reports relating to events at Haringey Borough FC this afternoon, in The FA Cup tie with Yeovil Town, are of alleged racist abuse aimed at their goalkeeper, (Valery) Douglas Pajetat, and yet again means players are continuing to receive discriminatory abuse while doing their job.

"The Haringey manager and players took swift and decisive action as a result of the abuse, similar to that taken by the England team out in Bulgaria just five days ago.

"Kick It Out has informed The FA and will support the club in identifying the offender(s) to ensure appropriate action is taken and strong punishment issued.

"We would also like to offer our full support to Douglas and all at Haringey Borough FC."

Additional reporting by the Press Association.

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