Women's final abandoned over safety amid Palestine protest, says club
A women's regional cup final was abandoned over "a perceived risk to safety" when fans refused to remove flags and banners showing support for Palestine.Clapton Community were playing Dulwich Hamlet Reserves in the final of the London and South East Women's Regional Football League (L&SERWFL) Trophy, which was hosted at Gallagher Stadium, the home of National League South men's side Maidstone United.Supporters of both sides displayed pro-Palestinian flags and banners for the game on Sunday, amid the ongoing conflict with Israel.The game kicked off as scheduled but after 20 minutes, with Clapton leading 2-0, the match was paused after a request for the flags and banners to be moved was rejected.
Maidstone United issued a statement, external that said "the match was abandoned by league and match officials, in consultation with the stewarding team, for reasons of a perceived risk to safety and with regard to clear stadium regulations and FA guidelines."This was because spectators refused requests to remove non-football related banners and flags."Maidstone United is a football club serving the local community. Ensuring a peaceful and safe environment for spectators in the stadium is a priority. The club does not engage in politics of any kind."Ground regulations typically ban flags and banners which carry political messaging, in line with guidance from governing bodies Fifa and Uefa.Under Football Association rules, clubs can be sanctioned if fan behaviour is deemed improper or has the potential to offend.Maidstone's ground regulations refer to the banning of flags and banners if they can be used as weapons, or "interfere with the viewing of spectators", though go on to say spectators should follow FA and National Football League rules and regulations, and not conduct actions which "could reasonably be construed as, constituting a source of danger, nuisance or annoyance to any other person".Football's laws of the game prohibit political messaging on kits and equipment, and it is not uncommon for this principal to be applied more widely.A statement from Clapton issued after the game said management at the venue objected to the presence of a Palestine flag among their support and a banner displayed by the Dulwich fans.Clapton player Tammy Hymas told BBC Sport: "An official from Maidstone came on the pitch and said the game had to stop, as they no longer consented to the stadium being used while political material was present."The game was stopped. As I understand, there was a suggestion the match could continue behind closed doors, with no fans."As a team we refused that offer, we said we wanted to show solidarity, so we went into the stands and joined the fans."Hymas added the action had the support of Jewish members of the club's fanbase who were present at the game.One Clapton supporter, who wanted to be known as Max, said: "When the match was abandoned, Dulwich Hamlet supporters came over to stand with us, and for a moment, it felt genuinely powerful. I've never seen something like it in football - it was beautiful. As a Jewish supporter of Clapton CFC, I feel proud of what the team and the fans stood for."I had so many emotions. At first I was shocked - it just seemed absurd. We were there to watch football. The players wanted to continue. The fans wanted to continue. The responsibility lies with the stadium - and I'll be asking for my money back."After an announcement at Gallagher Stadium saying the match was abandoned, a joint protest took place outside the stadium with both Dulwich and Clapton fans.Clapton Community, which describes itself as "a members-owned, members-run football club", said in a statement, external that "32 women were denied the opportunity to play the L&SERWFL Trophy final".It said players and fans were "united in their support and concern for Palestinians" and added: "Showing that support with a flag or banner is no reason to abandon a cup final."Dulwich Hamlet chairman Ben Clasper said in a statement, external that his club 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 and that the banners on display were not new, are not in breach of any laws or rules and have been to many games before this final".He added: "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."The London FA told BBC Sport it was "gathering all relevant information and working closely with the appropriate parties".It added: "As this matter is ongoing, we will not be making any further comment at this time."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Reuters
17 minutes ago
- Reuters
England retain Euro Under-21 title after Rowe extra time goal sinks Germany
BRATISLAVA, June 28 (Reuters) - Jonathan Rowe came off the bench to score an extra-time goal which gave holders England a 3-2 win over Germany in the Under-21 European Championship final on Saturday after they had let slip a two-goal lead. Lee Carsley's side retained the title won two years ago which brings England's total haul to four, but they were pushed all the way by a German side who came into the final as favourites and had beaten England in the group stage. "I'm so happy for them; to be European champions for the second time is a great achievement and the challenge now is to do it again in two years," Carsley told Channel 4. "I'm going to try and enjoy tonight. It's important. I love my job, I'm very proud of the job I do, I love working with the players. It's important they have a shandy or two tonight." England took the lead in the fifth minute when Omari Hutchinson had his effort saved by the keeper and a defensive clearance fell to Harvey Elliot who had time and space to pick his spot and steer a low shot inside the near post. Elliot began the move for England's second goal with a chipped pass into the path of James McAtee and when the midfielder found his route blocked by two defenders he laid off the ball to Hutchinson who drilled his strike through the keeper's legs. Hutchinson somersaulted away in celebration after his 24th-minute goal but Germany pulled one back in added time before the break. Paul Nebel crossed from the wing and Nelson Weiper rose unchallenged to power a header past England keeper James Beadle. The equaliser came in the 61st minute from a corner kick which went all the way to Nebel, out wide in the area, who pulled inside and drove the ball into the far top corner. Both sides created further chances but extra time was needed and England went back in front within two minutes when substitute Tyler Morton floated a perfect ball into the box and the unmarked Rowe headed home. "I came into the game with the mindset of doing anything I could to help the team," Rowe told Channel 4. "I wasn't starting but I knew, at some point, all of us on the bench would have to come on, make a difference and help the team to push it over the line." Rowe replaced Elliot at the end of normal time, making an immediate impact. After his goal there was no way back for Germany as England held firm under relentless pressure, with the Germans hitting the woodwork in added time. The defeat brought the Germans' 20-game unbeaten run to an end. Their last loss came against England in the 2023 tournament and two years to the day since that game, England triumphed again. England senior manager Thomas Tuchel was watching from the stands and the German, struggling to impress in his early days in charge, may well look to some of Carsley's side, and tactics, for a brighter English future. "I've had a chance with the senior team and I love that, so the best thing I can do is help the pathway and try and help the senior team," Carsley said.
The Guardian
24 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Women's Euro 2025 team guides: Sweden
This article is part of the Guardian's Euro 2025 Experts' Network, a cooperation between some of the best media organisations from the 16 countries who qualified. is running previews from two teams each day in the run-up to the tournament kicking off on 2 July. Sweden's journey to the Euros was both complicated and straightforward. The complicated bit came first and involved being drawn in the same group as England and France: Sweden ultimately finished third despite drawing twice with the European champions. That led to the simple bit: a playoff where Serbia were taken apart 8-0 on aggregate. After that came a mixed Nations League campaign. Denmark were beaten home and away, Sweden scoring eight goals over two matches. Wales proved a harder nut to crack, with Rhian Wilkinson's team coming away with two 1-1 draws. Given that every match was competitive the head coach, Peter Gerhardsson, could not afford to rotate his squad much. For example, going into the game against Norway on 26 June, there was only one goalkeeper available with international experience: Jennifer Falk. The two back-ups, Tove Enblom and Emma Holmgren, are yet to play at senior level. Gerhardsson, however, was unconcerned. 'I don't know if it really matters,' he said. 'If one of them had played and conceded a lot of goals, that selection might have backfired – and then you'd have to take that result with you into the Euros.' In general Sweden have been fortunate with injuries but during the final camp Arsenal's Rosa Kafaji withdrew with a foot injury and in the big win against Denmark in early June, the Barcelona star Fridolina Rolfö also suffered a foot injury. On 9 June Barça said the player had suffered ligament damage but Sweden's medical team are confident she will be fit for the opening fixture against Denmark on 4 July. The key midfielder is Real Madrid's Filippa Angeldahl, Gerhardsson's trusted general on the pitch, and she contributes with her fair share of goals. Nathalie Björn and Magdalena Eriksson are reliable choices at centre-back, while on the right, Hanna Lundkvist has become first-choice but she is now facing competition from the youngster Smilla Holmberg. Up front, the attacking trio of Rolfö, Stina Blackstenius and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd will once again lead the line, having proved their consistency for some time now. This is a special tournament for the head coach, Peter Gerhardsson, his last in charge. He will be replaced by the former Australia head coach, Tony Gustavsson, after Euro from Uppsala and a former top-flight player for Hammarby, Gerhardsson has been in charge since 2017. In nearly eight years he has led Sweden to two World Cup bronze medals, an Olympic silver and a European Championship semi-final. He also walked into a broom cupboard after a press conference at the 2023 World Cup, to everyone's amusement, a moment immortalised by the Guardian cartoonist David Squires. Gerhardsson was delighted: 'For me, who liked cartoons when I grew up, that was big. It can't be easy to feature in a Guardian cartoon. I managed that without even trying! I felt: 'Damn, that's fun.' The fact that they were poking fun at me I don't care about. I am who I am. I try to be honest to myself so here I am, that has pros and cons. You have to take that.' Johanna Rytting Kaneryd. Sweden have several high-profile players, such as Stina Blackstenius and Fridolina Rolfö, but Chelsea's Rytting Kaneryd was trusted by her club coach Sonia Bompastor during the 2024-25 season and was named Sweden's footballer of the year for 2024-25. She played a key role in Chelsea's domestic treble and was one of Sweden's most important players in both the Euro qualifiers and the Nations League. She is best known for her speed and fearless one-on-one play down the flank. As Magdalena Eriksson said: 'As a former left-back I can just say that she's a full-back's worst nightmare.' The 18-year-old full-back Smilla Holmberg is one of the most exciting and intriguing players in the squad. Holmberg and another youngster, her Hammarby teammate Ellen Wangerheim, both have huge potential. But while Wangerheim has been linked with several big clubs abroad it has been relatively quiet for Holmberg. That might be about to change. She made an impressive debut against Italy in the Nations League and if she continues on the same path most clubs will want her. A fearless full-back who is not afraid to attack, she is also remarkably composed in defence. Sign up to Moving the Goalposts No topic is too small or too big for us to cover as we deliver a twice-weekly roundup of the wonderful world of women's football after newsletter promotion Damallsvenskan has historically had a high status. It produces talented players who frequently move on to top international leagues. However in recent years the Swedish league has lost some status globally – a challenge currently being addressed in Sweden to keep pace with the rapidly growing major leagues. The league is officially classed as professional but some aspects are more semi-professional. Many players have other jobs alongside their playing careers. There is a lot of talent coming through, including Häcken's Felicia Schröder, as well as the Hammarby duo Wangerheim and Holmberg. Sweden are traditionally a strong tournament team. They should advance from the group, though Germany will be a tough opponent. A potential quarter-final against England or France would be a major obstacle and it's reasonable to think that the journey will end there. The Sweden team guide was written by Ella Lindvall for Fotbollskanalen.
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
PM ‘incapable of sticking to a decision' after welfare U-turn
The Prime Minister is 'incapable of sticking to a decision' after he made a major U-turn on welfare reforms in the face of a backbench rebellion, Kemi Badenoch will say. The reforms would only have made 'modest reductions to the ballooning welfare bill', but Sir Keir Starmer was 'too weak to hold the line', the Conservative Party leader is expected to say. In a speech to the Local Government Association Annual Conference in Liverpool on Wednesday, Ms Badenoch will criticise Sir Keir for creating a 'punishing welfare trap that shuts people out of going back to work'. 'This week, the Prime Minister backed down on limited reforms that would have made modest reductions to the ballooning welfare bill,' she will say. 'He was too weak to hold the line. 'The result? A punishing welfare trap that shuts people out of going back to work. 'Right now, Labour are making everything worse. And Keir Starmer sums up exactly what's wrong with politics today. 'Now that his backbenchers smell blood, there's almost certainly another climb down on the two-child benefit cap in the offing. 'Labour told us 'the adults were back in charge', but this is actually amateur hour. The Prime Minister is incapable of sticking to a decision. 'If he can't make relatively small savings to a benefits bill that is set to exceed £100 billion by 2030, how can we expect him to meet his promised 5% defence spending, or ever take the tough decisions necessary to bring down the national debt?' On Saturday, the Prime Minister told the Welsh Labour conference the 'broken' welfare system must be fixed 'in a Labour way'. In a speech to the Welsh Labour conference, he said: 'We cannot take away the safety net that vulnerable people rely on, and we won't, but we also can't let it become a snare for those who can and want to work,' the Prime Minister said. 'Everyone agrees that our welfare system is broken: failing people every day, a generation of young people written off for good and the cost spiralling out of control. 'Fixing it is a moral imperative, but we need to do it in a Labour way.'
