FA orders racially ruined FA Cup match to be replayed

October 22 – An English FA Cup qualifier abandoned at the weekend because of racist abuse when the home players walked off is to be replayed rather than the tie be awarded to either team.

Haringey Borough  and Yeovil Town’s fourth qualifying round match was called off when Haringey’s players refused to continue following reports of racial abuse aimed at goalkeeper Douglas Pajetat. Yeovil were leading 1-0 through a penalty when the game was halted in the 64th minute. There was a long delay for the spot-kick to be taken, with Pajetat struck by an object from the stands.

Shortly after Yeovil scored, play was suspended as the hosts, who play at part-time level in the seventh tier of  English football, left the field and around 35 minutes later, it was confirmed that the match had officially been abandoned.

Haringey manager Tom Loizou said Pajetat was racially abused, had a bottle thrown at him and was spat at by visiting fans while another of his players, Coby Rowe, was visibly enraged and had to be restrained after also being abused.

The English FA’s  decision to replay the tie comes after police arrested two men on suspicion of pelting the Haringey goalkeeper with stones, bottles and shouting abuse

See: Haringey walk off after Yeovil fans’ racial abuse 

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