An FA Cup Second Qualifying Round match was abandoned after players decided to leave pitch in the 70th minute following alleged racism.
Hereford and Sporting Khalsa have both condemned the reported discriminatory behaviour, with Hereford launching an investigation and promising severe consequences, including police involvement, for those responsible.
Hereford said in a social media post: “70′ | After an incident in the crowd, the players are leaving the pitch.”
Then in a statement, they wrote: “Today’s match has been abandoned after allegations of racial abuse aimed at the Sporting Khalsa goalkeeper.
“An investigation into the incident has already been launched and we will work closely with all parties involved.
“As a club, we will not stand for any discriminatory behaviour. Any individual found responsible will be dealt with in the sternest possible manner, including police involvement as necessary.”
Sporting Khalsa said: “A stoppage in play here. A reminder that racism and discrimination of all forms has no place in football, and no place at Sporting Khalsa. Today’s game has been abandoned. We will update supporters in due course.”
Statement.#COYW | #OurCity pic.twitter.com/HFOHyQC8VG
— HerefordFC (@HerefordFC) September 13, 2025
Heather Rose, who was at the game, posted via Facebook: “Sporting Khalsa vs Hereford FA Cup abandoned following what is believed to be racism towards Khalsa keeper. Keeper then tried to get to the fans for a fight. He was stopped by players and fans. Hereford were leading at the stoppage. This is both sets of players leaving pitch.”
Finn Benton wrote: “Play has been stopped, potentially for a racist shout against Khalsa keeper R’avan Constable. The Khalsa keeper went to confront the Hereford fan behind the goal. He’s just ran over to confront the Hereford fan being escorted out the ground and has to be stopped by his teammates.
“Absolutely not what you want to see at any game, especially after a great game with a huge crowd. A group of Hereford fans now being escorted out the ground by the stewards for being involved in the incident. I do wonder if Constable will continue.
“The players are leaving the pitch now. It looks like this game could be off.
“No word yet of if this game will continue. I believe there’s a meeting being held between the officials and the team managers. We shall see if this game restarts or if it is abandoned.
“This game has been abandoned.”
Hereford boss Paul Caddis said: “Absolute disgrace. Not welcome society. If you want to act like that and use language like that, don’t come back to this football club. We have worked tirelessly as a football club the last couple of years to make it as best experience as possible for people. We’re human beings. We’re human beings first and foremost. What nowadays? I don’t know what it is. It’s society.
“People think they can pay what they want, come through the door, and all rules go out the window. You can shout what you want, you can say what you want, whether it’s male, female, whatever. It’s a disgrace. Absolute disgrace.
“We stand by Sporting Khalsa, the goalkeeper. I was the first one to suggest that we make a stance. I don’t think it’s right. First and fore players in our team. What has gone through the, I don’t know who has what has gone through the mind? I think he’s been ejected and and identified but no we don’t want people like that our football club that is not a representation of our supporters.
“But sadly today it is because he was there with a Hereford badge. He was representing our football club and I hope the book gets thrown at him. I really do. I don’t care if that’s harsh. I don’t care. Don’t want him here. Don’t want him here. I’ve got players that I will protect as well.
“We’ve got players of different races. I’m absolutely seething. Seething. What an absolute idiot. And it spoils it for not just the players on the field, but it spoil it for everyone who’s come this afternoon. A great club with a great atmosphere.
“I-Lani Edwards scores his first senior goal in an FA Cup game. Brilliant. But then something like that happens and it just just vanishes everything. Our thoughts weren’t even on the game now. It’s ludicrous. Absolutely ludicrous. Idiots.
“How do you protect your players through this? Cuz as you say, you know, you’ve got a whole range of players in the squad. You’ve got black players in the squad who will be absolutely affected by what’s happened this afternoon. So I’ll give you an idea.
“We went into he referee’s room after we decided to come off the pitch fully supportive and I made the point, it’s easier, it’s probably not the right word but yeah it’s it was easier for me to start the discussion as the winning manager. I didn’t want like their manager to look as if he was scapegoating cuz he’s not like that. I know him. He’s not like that. He’s as tough as they come.
“But my point was let’s make a stance. Now, this is far too often where it’s step four, step two, Premier League, whatever it is. Make a stance. It’s 2025. Fed up of hiding behind social media accounts and and all the rest. Someone has to do something.
“As you said, I’ve got black players. My assistant manager’s got a wife who’s of race. So, someone has to do something. It’s disgusting. It really is. Football’s irrelevant now. It’s about human beings. It’s about human beings. And I think that I think we should be proud as players, staff, supporters that came along. The right decision was made.
“We are fully behind Sporting Khalsa. We are fully behind the goalkeeper. I went and apologised on behalf of the football club. I think that was the right thing to do, but we don’t represent that idiot. At the end of the day, it’s disruptive from a football point of view, and you’re probably going to have to come back here Tuesday night to do the FA Cup game again, but as you say, it’s bigger than that.
“We’re going back in with the referee, myself and the manager and he’s contacted the FA and we don’t know what the next steps are yet. Whether that’s a replay, whether it starts, I don’t know yet. I genuinely don’t know. I think the most important thing is that obviously everyone leaves the stadium safely.”
Twitter users reacted with the FA Cup match abandoned after players leave the pitch in the 70th minute following alleged racism…
@sandshufc: Not at the game so not seen what’s gone on, but if proven, I hope the individual(s) are banned for life. Don’t want people like this linked to our club. Utterly embarrassing for the club and fans alike
@AlanLeighton60: A day of great shame for the Club I have supported for 60 years. I can’t think of any incident that has disgusted me so much whilst supporting this Club.
@Archie111111111: Find them, name them, and ban them for life, don’t need them at football games.
@mb5244: I’m disgusted if anyone knows who it is please report them as there’s no place for this behaviour
@laterunner_14: Last season at edgar st a report of racist behaviour was made. I know of people who gave detailed accounts of what they saw when club asked fans to help, the club preceeded to do nothing. Appease assholes and this is where you end up. Whatever action is taken is too late
@everythinghufc: As they should, disgusting that anyone would dare do that. Ban them for life, dont want racists associated with our football club.
@jameseds_wirral: Harshest penalty possible, please. Name and shame.
@AlexandraFlash2: I love Hereford. Never been to game but there is no need for this behaviour. I hope sometime in the future I can get to a game. Hereford you need to ban this supporter(if proven guilty)if you don’t want this happening in your club.
@rhysphillips14: Name him/her shame them. Send it to their workplace, send it to the police and ensure they never watch a live game of football again. Fair to say whoever has done this is not a supporter.
@remaye09: Struggling to get my head around what goes through peoples minds to be racist in 2025. A small minority of such an unreal fan base and there’s no place for people like this in our club.
