A FOOTBALL club are facing disciplinary charges following the abandonment of a Worcester League game.

Berwick Rangers are in the dock for an alleged attack on a referee during their Katherine Rayer Cup first-round clash against Sunday Premier Division rivals Arrow 2000.

Arrow were leading 3-1 when referee Andy Daniel called a halt to proceedings in the 65th minute after sending two Berwick players off in the wake of Arrow’s third goal.

It is alleged Daniel was pushed by one Berwick player and then struck in the face with the football by another when he was surrounded following a dispute over whether an Arrow goal was offside.

The Worcestershire Football Association have confirmed an incident took place and that charges, which are yet to be revealed, have been issued against Berwick.

The matter has also been discussed by the Worcester League and will be dealt with by their management committee at a meeting on November 17, including a decision on if the match should be replayed.

Brian Poyner, secretary of Windermere Drive-based Arrow 2000, said: “We scored the third goal and our lads had gone to celebrate. Berwick said it was offside but it wasn’t. The other team surrounded the referee and all we saw was the referee getting pushed after handing out a red card.

“Then the ball hit him in the face but we didn’t see who threw it. The referee abandoned the game because he was injured and unable to carry on.”

John Lovegrove, Worcestershire FA disciplinary secretary, said: “We have received the referee’s report and, based on that, appropriate charges have been made against individuals and the club.”

Worcester League secretary Graham Russell added: “I can confirm that an incident took place after 65 minutes in the Katherine Rayer Cup match between Arrow 2000 and Berwick Rangers.

“The referee felt unable to continue the match and it was abandoned.”

The incident comes at a time when the FA nationally are trying to bring about better behaviour towards match officials from players and coaches in their Respect campaign.

It has been well documented that referees are being driven out of the game because of the treatment they receive during matches. It has been claimed that as many as one in three grassroots games now takes place without an official.

Berwick Rangers and referee Daniel both declined to comment.