Sporting Khalsa FA Cup tie abandoned after allegation of racist abuse
Sporting Khalsa's FA Cup second qualifying round tie against Hereford was abandoned after alleged racist abuse was aimed at goalkeeper Ravan Constable.
The game was halted midway through the second half, with National League North side Hereford leading 2-1 at the time.
After an incident with a fan behind the goal, Constable spoke with the referee before confronting the fan.
Shortly after Hereford players came over to speak with their supporters behind the goal, manager Paul Caddis ushered them off the pitch.
Following confirmation of the abandonment, which came less than 15 minutes after players had left the pitch, a Khalsa statement posted on X read: "During the second half of today's much-anticipated FA Cup match against Hereford, an alleged racist audible was aimed at our much-loved goalkeeper, Ravan Constable.
"Following this, and subsequent crowd disorder, the referee made the decision to abandon the game in the 67th minute.
"Racism and discrimination have no place in football. Sporting Khalsa are proud of our diversity, and the diversity in the community that we represent and are based in.
"We will not let hatred divide us, or our game.
"An investigation has been started, and we would like to thank the match officials and the officials from Hereford for their assistance in this.
"Further updates on the fixture itself will follow in due course."
Speaking to club media post-match, Hereford boss Caddis strongly condemned the incident, saying he was "disgusted" by what unfolded.
He said: "It's an absolute disgrace. [It's] not welcome in society, not welcome in football clubs.
"If you want to act like that and use language like that, don't come back to this football club.
"We have worked tirelessly as a football club to make it the best experience possible. We're human beings, first and foremost.
"Nowadays, people in society think they can pay what they want, come through the doors and all rules go out of the window - shout what you want, say what you want.
"We stand by Sporting Khalsa [and] their goalkeeper. I was the first one to suggest we make a stand because it isn't right.
"We don't want people like that at our football club, and that is not a representation of our supporters. Sadly, today it is because he was there with a Hereford badge, he was representing our football club and I hope the book gets thrown at him.
"I've got players that I will protect as well, players of different races. I'm absolutely seething."
Khalsa were one of 29 Northern Premier League representatives involved in the FA Cup second qualifying round on Saturday afternoon.
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