Macarthur Football finals match abandoned over alleged attack on referee

A local Sydney soccer association is continuing investigations into a fixture that descended into chaos, including a player allegedly trying to ‘kick in’ a referees door.

A Macarthur Football fixture was abandoned at the weekend. Picture: File

UPDATED: The Macarthur Football League continues to investigate the happenings of an abandoned match on 25 August between Harrington United Hornets and Narellan Rangers.

A player allegedly kicked the referees door after being shown a red card.

A spokesman from the league said they were taking evidence from all parties before handing down sanctions.

“This incident was discussed at our board meeting on Monday 26th August they determined this as an extraordinary and serious matter requiring the intervention of the board,” he said.

“The respective clubs have been issued show-cause notices and the board is currently reviewing and considering a large number of submissions and evidence submitted and may be undertaking further investigations based on those submissions.

“A determination will be delivered in due course.”

EARLIER: A local Sydney football fixture has descended into chaos, with a finals match was cut short over fears for a referee’s safety.

An open age division three game between the Harrington United Hornets and Narellan Rangers was brought to a halt on Saturday after tempers flared on the field.

Harrington United was leading the contest 3-0 before being hit with multiple red cards. The game was abandoned shortly due to players allegedly lashing out match officials, causing them to retreat to their sheds.

2GB host Ben Fordham said the referee had told the radio station he was scared to turn his back as he headed towards the sheds, and that he was forced to lock the door after one of the players “ran towards” it.

Fordham told listeners the official had to lock himself “in the referees’ room for close to 30 minutes until police from Narellan convinced the players to leave”.

Stud marks allegedly left by a player trying to kick the door down to get to the referee. Picture: 2GB

The man also sent in a photo of the damage done to the door as a result of a Harrington United player allegedly kicking it with while wearing boots with studs.

He reportedly told 2GB that in his 20 years of refereeing, he had experienced nothing like this before.

A 14-year-old assistant referee, who was on the sidelines, reportedly told the experienced match official he feared refereeing again, according to 2GB.

A Macarthur Football spokesman told this masthead the association was launching a thorough investigation into the incident.

“Both teams have been stood down pending an investigation through our judicial system,” he said.

“We’re waiting for incident reports and referee reports, and guilty parties will be served with what’s coming to them … Any incidents that come to us we treat seriously, and will deal with it in a swift manner.

“There’s no excuse for it…When we see something like this happen we’re not happy about it and we want to stamp it out.”

Macarthur Football Association general manager Paul Bertolissio said the organisation had also been in touch with the Referees Association, and that counselling and support has been offered to the referees.

“We strongly believe that the sport needs to be one which is positive, inclusive and a great opportunity for people to participate at all levels. Our referees are included in that,” Mr Bertolissio said.

Harrington United president Ray Zammit said the club would wait for the investigation to be completed, but indicated it would take strong action.

“We clamp down (on those things) very hard,” he said.

“It’s going through the process now and once that’s done, we know how to deal with it as a club.

“We’ll deal with it very harshly.”

Narellan Rangers have been contacted for comment.

A NSW Police spokesperson said they were unaware of the incident.