Police called to football match

police were called to a football match involving a Dewsbury team on Friday.

Allegations of racism and violence emerged after the tie between Park Football Club of Earlsheaton, Dewsbury, and Fairbank United from Bradford.

The teams were playing in the final of the Wilf Ward Memorial Cup, which was hosted in Cleckheaton by Liversedge Football Club.

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Match officials claimed that fans of both teams shouted racist chants throughout the match, which kicked off at 7pm on Friday.

In the second half of extra time, two players from each team were sent off after a scuffle broke out.

When the final whistle was blown, meaning a 4-3 victory for Park FC, fans invaded the pitch from the sidelines.

Dean Rigby, Park FC team manager, said that punches were thrown before the police were called.

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Mr Rigby was in goal for the match, while his son, Aaron Walton, played outfield. Mr Rigby said the scenes were ‘frightening’, and described the behaviour as ‘pathetic’.

He said he would take Park FC out of the Spen Valley League if they were in the same division as Fairbank again next season.

Fairbank secretary Akif Waseem said that his club would wait for the outcome of an investigation by the West Riding County FA before making a comment on the incident.

Spen Valley league secretary, Mavis Ward, who was at the match, said: “It was alright during the match — there were one or two incidents. It was only the second half of extra time.

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“Both teams were equally to blame. I don’t think there were much to pick between them.

“Nothing happened until the second half of extra time, and then all hell broke loose.”

Mrs Ward said that spectators ran on the pitch and intimidated players, but did not see any punches being thrown. She said: “It doesn’t do the Spen Valley League any good.”

John Riordan, West Riding’s governance manager, said the county FA could not comment until it had seen the match referee’s report.

A police spokeswoman said that officers were called to the scene, but that no crimes had been reported.

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