The Board of Directors at AFC Rushden & Diamonds would like to provide an update to supporters, and to the wider footballing community, regarding the incident that led to the match referee abandoning our fixture against Coventry Sphinx on Saturday, 15th November.
Following our initial statement requesting feedback from those in attendance, we received a number of eyewitness accounts from supporters of both clubs, and we thank those who came forward to share them. These accounts – together with the referees’ reports, as well as video footage and imagery we have reviewed – have enabled us to build a clearer picture as our internal investigation progressed.
After an emergency Board Meeting held on Tuesday, 18th November to review all evidence, our extensive internal investigation has now concluded. The Club believes it has identified the individual responsible for making sexist remarks towards a female match official and, after careful consideration (and in accordance with our Acceptable Behaviour Policy), has issued an indefinite ban preventing that individual from attending any AFC Rushden & Diamonds–related events.
The individual was notified of the Club’s decision, and of their right to appeal, on Wednesday, 19th November.
The exclusion is indefinite but may be reviewed should the individual complete an approved educational programme on acceptable behaviour in football – particularly concerning protected characteristics – such as those offered by Kick It Out, to whom the Club has signposted the individual.
AFC Rushden & Diamonds wish to thank everyone who assisted and supported us throughout this process. Your cooperation has been vital in enabling the Club to uphold its values as a fan-owned community club and to take decisive action. We would also like to offer an unreserved apology to the match official for the events that occurred, and we deeply regret the national and international attention that this incident has generated.
We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to fostering a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all players, officials, volunteers, and supporters. 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.
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, and that without match officials, there can be no football matches.
