Mass brawl stops match

Reporter: ROBBIE GILL
Date published: 17 January 2014


COPPICE United B football team has been suspended from the Oldham Sunday League indefinitely - over a mass brawl allegedly sparked by racism

Shocking violence forced the January 12 match, which Royton won 4-2, to be abandoned after four Royton players and a female spectator were attacked and one Coppice player was left with a gashed head. Royton Athletic denied a racist motive for the brawl.

A dispute broke out in the 85th minute, after Royton’s fourth goal. The Coppice goalkeeper left his net to confront Royton supporters, claimed to be racially abusing him.

Coppice manager Manuar Hanif said: “We were getting racist insults thrown at us throughout the game, not by their players but the supporters.

“What happened after I can’t defend, it was just a huge brawl and everyone was to blame. The Royton players were trying to stop it and I have no problem with them, but the supporters’ behaviour was awful.

“We’ve been in this league for over 12 years and we have never been involved in anything like this before.”

Royton’s goalkeeper was kicked and lost four teeth, their captain was stamped on and suffered severe bruising to the chest and manager Keith Bradbury required a brain scan after he was hit trying to separate the brawlers.

Mr Bradbury blamed the brawl on the rage of Coppice players for conceding a late goal.

The 38 year old said: “They have said that our fans were being racist, but we refute that. We are a family club. All the mothers and children watching are still in shock.”

Oldham Sunday League confirmed Coppice would be suspended. Police are investigating the background to the brawl.