WORCESTER Raiders are set to be crowned champions after West Midlands (Regional) League (WMRL) officials allowed the result of an abandoned match to stand.
Raiders led 3-1 at Bustleholme in March when referee Pete Durnall called a halt to proceedings in the second minute of added time following a brawl involving players and staff of both clubs and members of the crowd.
Worcester @RaidersFc win 3-1 at @BustleholmeFC1 but the win was marred by a brawl that saw the referee bring an early end to added time. pic.twitter.com/uWDpUaRDkv
— Andy Mitchell (@sirandymitchell) March 19, 2019
A decision on the Division One fixture became decisive when Raiders ended the campaign two points behind Darlaston Town at the top of the table with league chiefs opting to warn both clubs over their future conduct rather than scrub the result.
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WMRL chief executive Neil Juggins said: “The committee discussed the abandonment and decided both clubs should be warned as to their future conduct and the result allowed to stand.”
Juggins confirmed the decision had been unanimous but politely declined to comment further.
An FA Disciplinary Commission found cases against both clubs proven in relation to failure to control players, officials or spectators with the league’s call likely to prove controversial on the back of that.
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Champions ! Finally we can celebrate ! Champions champions champions. THE LEAST AMOUNT OF GAMES LOST ALL SEASON.18 consecutive games won,28 games unbeaten,1 loss all season. Unbeaten away from home in the league. Worthy CHAMPIONS. #UTR #WEAREGOINGUP #CHAMPCHAMPS #HAVETHATTHEN
— Dog (@chriscornes10) May 14, 2019
WMRL rule 20 E reads: “The management committee shall review all competition matches abandoned in cases where it is consequent upon the conduct of either or both teams.
“Where it is to the advantage of the competition and does no injustice to either club, the management committee shall be empowered to order the score at the time of the abandonment to stand.
“In all cases where the management committee (is) satisfied that a competition match was abandoned owing to the conduct of one team or its club member(s) they shall be empowered to award the points for the competition match to the opponent.
“In cases where a competition match has been abandoned owing to the conduct of both teams or their club member(s), the management committee shall rule that neither team will be awarded any points for that competition match and it shall not be replayed.
“No fine(s) can be applied by the management committee for an abandoned competition match.”
Without the points being awarded, Raiders would not only have missed out on the title but also the single promotion place from WMRL Division One.
Raiders are set to benefit from Worcestershire FA’s revamp of Claines Lane which will include the installation of floodlights and ground improvements, both required to accept promotion.
Going up will see Raiders play at English football’s 10th tier, entering a level that is formally governed by the National League System, for the first time.
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