A REFEREE threatened to abandon a school football final because of crowd trouble.
Referee Dave Scoreby warned teachers he would call off the match between two teams of under-15s.
The match, at York City's Bootham Crescent ground between the rival Joseph Rowntree and Oaklands schools, both in the York area, almost did not re-start after half-time.
About two dozen teenage supporters were heard chanting and shouting abusive language throughout the game.
Mr Scoreby, an experienced official, told teachers that the players would not return after half-time unless it was stopped.
Ground officials had twice appealed to supporters over the tannoy to tone down their language and remind them it was a school final.
Joseph Rowntree's headteacher, Hugh Porter, said he and several colleagues stood among the culprits for the remainder of the game.
He said: "Some older teenagers who had left school went to the game to take the opportunity to treat it as a Saturday football match.
"They were using bad language and chanting, which was not appropriate for a school final.
"The referee stopped the game and had a word with the organisers. Several teachers went to stand among them, which improved the situation.
"It is always disappointing when a school sports final is turned into a Saturday game by a minority. The vast majority of the crowd encouraged both teams."
Oaklands School spokes-man Gavin Cowley said those involved were not known to the school.
He said: "I have spoken to our staff who were there and I am satisfied that the behaviour described was not caused by our students. We condemn their behaviour in the strongest possible terms."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article