Back in January, FC MMIX travelled to Radcliffe School to take on Stanton Manor in a Division One clash that was abandoned moments before half-time after some disappointingly unsavoury scenes. Dwayne Simpson had put MMIX ahead with a close range finish before the Manor drew level and subsequently edged ahead in a game that ebbed and flowed from end to end before an incident which started with Manor’s Jason Sambrook spiralled out of control, leaving referee Steve Ring no choice but to abandon the game in the 44th minute.
Both clubs, as well as the referee, were required to submit a formal report as to what happened so that the league committee could decide what action would be taken – and that decision has now been made…
First and foremost, the match will be replayed meaning that the score-line does not stand. Given the fact that several games have recently been postponed due to the adverse weather conditions, the league are currently rescheduling all remaining league and cup fixtures so a date should be confirmed shortly.
Sambrook has been placed on league probation, and so have both teams – meaning that their behaviour will be closely monitored between now and the end of the season by the committee.
But the biggest impact is the financial one, with both clubs being fined £50 for the abandonment as well as the fact that when the fixture is replayed, the teams will have to split the cost of 3 officials and not 1. As a result, the total fine is £85 for each club so far.
This is only a league punishment though, as more fines and / or bans could be imposed by the FA after a report was also submitted to the County disciplinary system by the referee. Any fines and / or bans that are imposed as a result could be considerably more severe than the ones already in place, and this will obviously be confirmed in due course.
No club statement will be made at this time.
