Non-league match abandoned after police were called following mass brawl

A NON-LEAGUE match was abandoned after a shocking mass brawl saw the police called out.

Midlands rivals Rugby Town and Coventry Copsewood met in a League Cup tie on Tuesday night.

And footage captured from the stands shows an extraordinary fight break out between the players.

Referee Darren Laska issued two red cards and a yellow after the brawl, which was triggered by a late tackle from Copsewood defender George Whitelaw player.

And the official was forced to end the game with with Rugby Town winning 1-0.

Whitelaw – who was the man booked – said: “I put a tackle in that was late, I admit that.

“When we were on the floor he grabbed me and another player came running in and kicked me in the side of the head.

“Another one of their players punched our centre half and gave him a black eye.

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“It was a bit of handbags, it was a bit petty really – there’s no need to be kicking and punching people.

“It was a bit of a nightmare situation.

“The referee said it wasn’t just the players, it was the players on the bench and the managers.

“He felt intimidated by the fans as well and, because of the abuse, there was no way he could carry on.

“It was the right decision. There was no way that game could have carried on after what happened.

“Things like that shouldn’t be in football. Tackles are sometimes late, but I don’t agree with kicking or punching people at all.

“I can see both teams being thrown out of the competition. There will be consequences.”

Warwickshire Police confirmed there were no arrests after the incident.

League chiefs are yet to make a decision about replaying the match.

Rugby Town released a statement which read: “Rugby Town’s Midland Football League Cup tie with Coventry Copsewood was abandoned by the referee just before half time.

“Match referee Darren Laska called time early after a large fracas between the two sets of players which occurred following a late tackle on Rugby midfielder Ben Ashby.

“Once tempers calmed on the field, the referee began to give out cards including a red card to two players plus a booking to another before then deciding to abandon the game.

“The exact reason for the abandonment is currently not confirmed.

“The outcome of the tie is also unclear at this moment – the club will await to receive full reports from the match referee and the MFL before commenting further.

“The police were called to attend to ensure the sets of players and management left the stadium safely and there were no further reports of incidents after the players left the field of play.

“Valley were leading at the time of abandonment thanks to a second minute header by David Kolodynski, who incidentally suffered a nasty-looking injury to his lower leg during the game.”