Police attend abandoned football match involving Southern Counties East sides Lordswood and Punjab United following a disturbance

Police were called to a football match which had been abandoned due to disorder.

Southern Counties East side Lordswood released a statement after their Premier Division match against Punjab United on Saturday was halted by the match referee.

Lordswood said: “The referee abandoned our match vs Punjab United with approximately 10 minutes remaining, an incident was reported to the police and will be reported to the KCFA (Kent Football Association) by the referee.”

Kent police confirmed they had attended.

A spokesperson said: “Kent Police was called just before 5pm on Saturday 3 February 2024 to a report of a disturbance at a sports venue in North Dane Way, Lordswood.

“Officers attended where one man had sustained minor injuries. Enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.”

The visiting side, Gravesend-based Punjab United, were winning 3-2 at the time the match was abandoned.

There were two red cards issued late on in the match. Lordswood substitute Charlie Plummer was dismissed while Punjab goalkeeper Rilwan Anibaba was also sent off, playing against his former team.

Punjab secretary Jindi Banwait said they didn’t want to comment and that the club were dealing with the matter internally, along with the Kent FA and Lordswood FC.

The Southern Counties East Football League are also dealing with another match that was abandoned in December.

One club claimed supporters entered the pitch to abuse opposition players.

The claim was made in a statement issued by Lydd Town after their home match with Fisher was abandoned in stoppage time.