SPORTING Khalsa manager Ian Rowe has condemned the ‘monkey chants’ which caused Saturday’s FA Cup tie with Hereford FC to be abandoned.
The Second Round Qualifying Round game at Khalsa’s Willenhall ground was called off by the referee in the second half.
Northern Premier League West club Khalsa said after that an ‘alleged racist audible was aimed at our much-loved goalkeeper, Ravan Constable’.
Hereford manager Paul Caddis said that the person allegedly responsible for the abuse was one of the visiting Bulls fans.
Rowe then spoke to the club’s X account on Sunday to express his disgust at what happened.
He said: “I’m angry, disappointed, upset, I was upset for Ravan, and upset for everything we do is a club and everything we put on.
“You can’t prepare for a couple of idiots, but we’re in 2025 for God’s sake.
“People come to a game of football, so enjoy the game of football, leave your opinions and your views at home, you’re not welcome at our club.
“As a club, we’ve had barriers and hurdles, but I was was proud of the players, because they all backed him and we made sure he got the care and that he waslooked after.
“That he was okay, first and foremost, but going forward, we’ve got to make sure we don’t get a repeat.
“But monkey chanting? Come on, that’s like something from the 1980s. Give your head a wobble or do not attend.”
The FA issued a statement on Sunday morning and said it was considering when – or if – the tie was to be replayed.
It said: “We are very concerned about the allegation of discrimination from an area of the crowd during the Emirates FA Cup Second Qualifying Round fixture between Sporting Khalsa FC and Hereford FC.
“The match was subsequently abandoned and the next steps for the tie will be confirmed in due course.
“Incidents of this nature will not be tolerated in our game, and we will work with the match officials, the clubs and the relevant authorities to establish the facts and ensure the appropriate action is taken.”
