Club bans fan over alleged sexist abuse of referee

AFC Rushden & Diamonds had asked anyone who witnessed the incident to contact them

A non-league club has banned a fan from attending any of its matches after they allegedly aimed sexist remarks at a female referee.

AFC Rushden & Diamonds' match at Coventry Sphinx on Saturday was called off at half-time after the comment was heard being directed at her from the crowd.

The Northamptonshire club said it believed it had identified the individual responsible after reviewing eyewitness statements, the referee's report and video footage.

The fan has been told they can appeal.

The club said its directors held an emergency board meeting on Tuesday and the supporter, who it "believes it has identified", was notified of the decision earlier.

They offered an "unreserved apology to the match official" and said they "deeply regret the national and international attention" the incident had received.

The two sides both play in the Northern Premier League Midlands Division.

"Discriminatory behaviour of any kind will not be tolerated and this incident does not reflect the values of AFC Rushden & Diamonds or the wider non-league football community," a spokesperson said.

"In a sport where a degree of abuse toward match officials has too often become normalised, we hope that if any positive can be taken from this situation - and the extensive coverage it has received - it is that it has sparked important conversations about how match officials are treated, and what is and is not acceptable.

"We also hope that this incident, and its outcome, serves as a reminder that sexist comments have no place in football."

On Saturday, Diamonds first team manager Elliot Sandy explained to the club's media on X that the referee stopped the match while the fan was removed from the ground.

At half-time, he said the official told the teams she was uncomfortable continuing the match.