A London football cup final was abandoned on Sunday after the stadium’s management objected to fans of both teams waving Palestinian flags and banners.
The Clapton Community Football Club women’s team were leading 2-0 against Dulwich Hamlet Reserves in the London and South East Regional Women’s Football League (L&SERWFL) trophy final when an official from the venue, Maidstone United’s Gallagher Stadium, called off the game.
A statement from the Clapton players said that 20 minutes into the match, a representative of the stadium objected to the presence of Palestinian flags among the team’s supporters in the stands. He also took issue with a banner among the Dulwich Hamlet fans which read: “Show genocide the red card.”
After both sets of supporters – in a crowd of 300 – refused to stop waving the flags and signs, Clapton said the teams were given the option to continue the game behind closed doors, but declined the offer to play the final away from the fans.
“Today, 32 women were denied the opportunity to play the L&SERWFL Trophy final,” the statement from the Clapton players said.
“About 20 minutes into the match, both Clapton and Dulwich supporters were approached by a representative of Maidstone United, Gallagher Stadium owners.
“He demanded that our supporters must stop waving the Palestinian flag, and the Dulwich supporters must take down their banner which read ‘Show genocide the red card.’
“After both groups of supporters refused, a league official walked on to the field of play to stop the game. In a discussion with the match officials, players and coaches, he communicated that we could not use the ground while both the Palestinian flag and the banner were displayed.
“Our given options were to 1) play the game behind closed doors or 2) to abandon the game. Clapton’s players chose to abandon the game.
“Both sets of fans then came together in solidarity with the Palestinian people, singing more songs and holding up our banners in support of trans women and the Palestine people, respectively.
“Our players and fans are united in their support and concern for Palestinians who are being bombed daily. Showing that support with a flag or banner is no reason to abandon a cup final.”
According to Clapton, the L&SERWFL has declared the cup final void and it will not be replayed or awarded to either finalist.
The club also said that both Clapton and Dulwich Hamlet will face an FA disciplinary process.
In a separate statement, the chairman of Dulwich Hamlet, Ben Clasper, said on Monday that he had spent the last 24 hours speaking with those present at the match to find out “the full facts” of what happened.
He insisted he had seen no evidence “that our fans have behaved in any way other than the peaceful and dignified manner that we would expect from them, in accordance with the values of our club”.
He noted that the banners on display were “not new”, and not in breach of any “laws or rules” and have been seen at many games before the final.
“We are very disappointed that the L&SERWFL Trophy final has ended in this fashion, and we look forward to a full explanation as to how this was allowed to happen,” he said.
The JC contacted Maidstone United’s Gallagher Stadium and the FA for comment.
