Hartlepool star tries to tackle own fans after racist abuse aimed at Dover before another supporter tried to get to referee

FOOTBALL suffered more race shame when a Hartlepool player attempted to jump into the crowd to tackle his own fans after they abused rival Dover players. The National League match at Victoria Park was held up for eight minutes as players from both sides tried to confront the supporters. And the match was further marred […]

FOOTBALL suffered more race shame when a Hartlepool player attempted to jump into the crowd to tackle his own fans after they abused rival Dover players.

The National League match at Victoria Park was held up for eight minutes as players from both sides tried to confront the supporters.

And the match was further marred by another Hartlepool fan jumping onto the pitch and trying to get to the match official after becoming angry at some decisions.

The ugly scenes broke out when Dover players celebrated in front of the home fans after Inih Effiong had converted a penalty to open the scoring.

Suddenly the players reacted to something shouted from the crowd, leading to aces from both sides squaring up and Gus Mafuta tried to clamber into the terracing to tackle on punter.

It took eight minutes for the situation to calm down enough for play to resume, and an announcement was made at half-time condemning racism.

The bad-tempered match got worse still after the break, with Hartlepool having two players and manager Craig Hignett sent off.

And one irate Pool fan lost control completely, jumping over the hoardings and making for official Joseph Johnson.

Dover eventually won the game 2-0, but the FA are sure to take a dim view of what happened in both halves.

SAD DAY

Dover boss Andy Hessenthaler admitted he was about to take his players off – and Hartlepool boss Hignett agreed.

Hessenthaler said: “It’s a sad day for football.

“At half-time we were calm. I spoke to Craig and at one stage I wanted to come off the pitch – and Craig agreed with me.

“He was saying the same, we backed each other up, but the players wanted to carry on and credit to them.

“It’s a tough one for the referee – how tough for him. A crazy day all around. I’ve not been lucky here in recent years, but I’ll take that one.

“They wanted to carry on. We spoke and their players wanted to carry on too. I didn’t like what was going on, I felt it in my stomach.

“I said ‘look, if you want to come off, lets come off’, but they wanted to carry on – although we were winning 1-0 at the time.’’

Huddersfield chief executive Mark Maguire said: “Whatever the rights and wrongs of the decision, or the aftermath to the penalty which was scored, Hartlepool United utterly condemn racist behaviour of any description.

“We are a proudly inclusive as a Club, and we know that the vast majority of Pools fans will join us in standing up against words and actions which have no place in football or society.

“As I understand it, in this, the early stages after the event, individuals have been identified and will be dealt with in the strongest possible manner by both the Club and police.

“Equally, I personally spoke to the people on the receiving end of the abuse, assuring them that we would take the necessary action.

ACCA WITH LADBROKES Pick up a whole load of acca features to help you land the big one

“We also made a public announcement at half time, setting out our condemnation of such behaviour, whilst I also spoke with the Chairman of Dover to offer my apology.

“As a Club we will protect the principles held by the vast majority of our fan base who would be insulted by their reputation being tarnished in this manner. In these type of circumstances actions speak louder than words and we will be judged accordingly.

“On days like today, Directors, Management and staff of both clubs have a responsibility to stand up and be counted, and we have no hesitation in reacting in the strongest possible manner.

“Of a completely separate nature is any concern surrounding events on and off the pitch during and immediately after the game, and we will deal with this accordingly with the appropriate authorities.”