A mass brawl involving players and fans forced the abandonment of a Northern Premier League match in the 84th minute this weekend. Avro FC were leading Kidsgrove Athletic 6-0 when violence erupted at the Vestacare Stadium, with a goalkeeper punching a fan in front of young children.
The ugly scenes unfolded after Kidsgrove Athletic had already been reduced to nine men following two earlier red cards. According to the Daily Star, the incident was triggered when player-manager Tom Pope was dismissed from the touchline, escalating tensions that had been building throughout the one-sided contest.
Violence erupts in front of children
Pitchside footage shows punches being thrown and drinks flying behind the goal as both sets of players became involved in the melee. Young children were clearly visible in the stands witnessing the violent confrontation, with the Manchester Evening News reporting that spectators could be heard pleading for the violence to stop.
The most shocking moment saw the visiting Kidsgrove Athletic goalkeeper strike a fan in the face with considerable force over the advertising hoarding. The referee had no choice but to immediately abandon the match, with possible sanctions now looming for both teams.
Clubs condemn violence
Avro FC said they were "appalled" by the behaviour of Kidsgrove Athletic players and fans involved in the confrontation. The club stated: "We as a club are appalled with the behaviour of some of the fans, players and officials of Kidsgrove Athletic. We will support and cooperate with both the NPL and FA in their investigation."
Kidsgrove Athletic quickly issued their own condemnation, stating: "As a club, we do not condone any form of inappropriate behaviour. We remain committed to upholding the values of respect and sportsmanship both on and off the pitch." The club confirmed they would submit a full report to authorities and cooperate fully with any investigation.
Investigation underway
Both the Northern Premier League and the Football Association are expected to launch investigations into the incident. The outcome of the bad-tempered affair remains uncertain, with the clash likely requiring a replay at a later date.
Sources used: "Metro", "Daily Star", "Manchester Evening News"
Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
