FA Appeal Board condemns NPL neutral venue order after 'go f*** yourself' email | OneFootball

The FA Appeal Board condemned the Northern Premier League’s insistence on a neutral venue for FC United of Manchester versus Stockton Town as unfair and illogical, after a row in which the league’s then chair told a supporter to “go f*** yourself”.

The NPL ordered the 21 April fixture to be staged at Curzon Ashton following a run of postponements. When FC United fan Aled Duckfield challenged the move, an email from chair Mark Harris responded: “Thank you for your lovely email. Now go f*** yourself”.

Harris was removed from his role on 10 April. One week later the FA Appeal Board upheld FC United’s appeal and directed that the match be played at Broadhurst Park unless a 20 April inspection declared the pitch unplayable.

In its written reasons, the panel said no reasonable body could have reached the neutral-venue decision, adding that it had been taken without any proper assessment of the Broadhurst Park surface and was “unfair, illogical and inconsistent with the principles of sporting integrity”.

The game went ahead at Broadhurst Park and finished 1-1. The draw denied FC United a place in a three-way title fight on the final day, while boosting Stockton’s play-off bid.

Hednesford Town then beat Stockton to reach the play-off final, where they faced Warrington Rylands after FC United lost their semi-final 2-1. A last-minute George Williams equaliser forced extra time and then penalties, on which Hednesford prevailed to win promotion.

Source: ExpressAndStar.com