A women's cup final was abandoned yesterday after stadium management objected to Palestine flags and a banner in the crowd.
The London and South East Regional Women's Football League Trophy final between Clapton Community FC Women and Dulwich Hamlet Reserves came to an abrupt halt at Maidstone United's Gallagher Stadium.
The match was stopped when a Maidstone United representative demanded supporters stop displaying a Palestinian flag and remove a banner reading "Show genocide the red card".
Both teams were offered the chance to continue behind closed doors, but declined, resulting in the match being declared void.
Palestine flags were spotted inside the stadium, eventually making their way down to the pitch
X
Clapton Community FC Women were leading 2-0 when the incident occurred approximately 20 minutes into the match.
According to a statement issued by Clapton, a representative of Maidstone United approached supporters and demanded they stop waving a Palestinian flag.
The same official also took issue with a banner displayed by Dulwich supporters which read: "Show genocide the red card".
After both groups of supporters refused to comply with these demands, the official spoke with match officials and communicated that the ground could not be used while both the Palestinian flag and banner remained on display.
The teams were presented with two options: to play the match behind closed doors or to abandon the game entirely.
Clapton's players chose to abandon the match rather than continue without their supporters present.
Following the decision, both sets of fans demonstrated unity in their stance.
According to Clapton's statement: "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."
Players eventually paraded the Palestine flags on the pitch
X
The club added: "Our players and supporters 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."
The London and South East Regional Women's Football League has declared the cup final void, with no winner being recognised for this season's competition.
Both clubs now face the prospect of an FA disciplinary process following the incident.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
The final has now been voided with no winner
X
The abandoned final represents a disappointing conclusion to the competition, which sits at the fifth level of the women's football pyramid.
Neither club has indicated whether they will appeal the league's decision to void the result rather than reschedule the fixture at an alternative venue.
Most Read
