Downs League refs threaten strike after Tigers are reinstated
Referees are threatening strike action after the Bengal Tigers were reinstated to the Bristol Downs League.
Downs League referees secretary Steve Elsom admitted he had a mandate for possible action by all 30 officials, many of whom voted to boycott any games played by the Tigers. The Tigers were suspended following an incident which left Retainers A player Mark Fitzgibbon in hospital.
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Bengal Tigers' secretary Syed Haque with co-founder Saiful Islam (left) and striker Mohammed Ahkel Ahmed (right)
"It's there in place when I give the go-ahead. All referees will withdraw for one day," said Elsom.
"We had a secret ballot where 28 of the 30 referees said they wouldn't referee their games.
"We have got to make a stand but we have to remember there are three divisions in which they don't play.
"But I have to protect my younger lads.
"I have three 16-year-olds and a 17-year-old. One of the younger lads refereed one of their games three weeks before the incident (with Retainers A) took place, and one of their players went face to face with him, and he came back petrified.
"They have got away scot free. We're getting penalised by them coming back into the league. And I've got to provide a referee?
"If it does happen it will be the whole fixture list affected.
"I have to see if it's legal or not first. But fixtures will go ahead, they will just have to provide their own referees.
"This is our way of saying 'Hang on a minute, we're trying to do this respect campaign, but where is the respect for the referee'?"
The monthly meeting of the league's committee and member clubs started with chairman Bob Sampson asking for a vote of confidence from the respective clubs, which they gained with a vote of 30-4.
And after months of liaising with the Gloucestershire Football Association, and campaigning to be reinstated to the league, the Tigers offered to postpone their return until next season.
It looks likely, however, that the Tigers' first game of the season will be against TM Lion, on Saturday, November 22.
Club secretary Syed Haque said: "The main thing is I wanted to see the league go in the right direction.
"I didn't want to see the fixture secretary or anyone getting any grief.
"The players are very happy and we're looking forward to playing again.
"Hopefully we will be back up there playing the game as we have been for the past eight years."
When asked if the Tigers would be making a formal apology to Retainers A player Fitzgibbon, who received eye injuries as a result of the incident in question last season, Haque added: "I would do everything possible. I'm not one to hold grudges or anything. Something happened, it wasn't my fault.
"I would apologise in person, and on behalf of the club itself."
Vice-chairman of the league, Bill Arthur, said: "We have been instructed by the GFA that we have to let the Bengal Tigers back into the league.
"I'm disappointed at the GFA. The annoying thing is the Bengal Tigers had a suspended fine for threatening a young referee, then there was the fracas.
"A number of committee members have received letters from the Bengal Tigers threatening them with court action if they didn't carry out their duty in reinstating them. Officers of the league do this voluntarily.
"I'm lucky as vice chairman that I didn't receive a letter, but if a letter had come to me, it would have gone straight to my solicitor."
Roberto Maestri, vice secretary of the Retainers, who have more than one team in the Bristol Downs League, said the club have been promised a letter of apology.
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by Tariq, Bristol
Wednesday, November 19 2008, 11:28AM
“Well would anyone like to make any comments about what took place this weekend, oh well I suppose the race card cannot be played, and the comments made by Bob, what a load of rubbish,
Any comments Chris,(I think both team¿s should be expelled so we should have a public enquiry) and to Snowis Hanham everyone plays un-reg players when there short so lets not all jump on the Bob Simpson¿s merry-go-round to make him feel like what he did was right.
Oh the ref's are not striking now how interesting. What wonderful story will they come up with this time about why they decided not too strike.
Football is a funny game¿.!”
by Snowis, Hanham
Monday, November 17 2008, 2:16PM
“I have to say that the GFA have once again made a mess of a situation. They will back all ref's when it comes to bookings etc as it makes them money. But will not back them when it matters. I am not a ref, but am a football Manager. If a club plays an un-resgistered player then the club gets a fine and rightly soo. But if a club plays an un-registered player and then that player intentionally harms another player on the pitch the club should recieve more than a small fine. In this circumstance that the club then fails to give the persons name to the GFA the club should rightly be withdrawn. From what I have read and from conversations I have had with many players and managers of downs teams. (I do not manage in the downs league) This is not the first time that the Tigers have been in trouble and or caused trouble. I believe that if all teams and ref's stand together to all be counted then the matter will soon come to an end. As for the GFA it seems that they never learn, if they can not make money from it they are not intrested in long winded solutions. All ref's have a hard job every game they are involved in and to not have the backing of thier Governing body is disturbing especially as they have to pay for the Privilege.”
by Chris, Bristol
Monday, November 17 2008, 1:27AM
“Interesting.
If it has been happening for the last 7 years why have you not mentioned it to the comittee before to irradicate it for the league? I for one dispise discrimination in any form and had I have been the subject of discrimination I would name and shame the club in question every time it occured.”
by Tariq, Bristol
Saturday, November 15 2008, 4:38PM
“It is also illegal to make racist comments when playing football.
But that's not in question now even though its been happening for the past 7 years with this team. So one needs too look at the bigger picture as well as the current incident and realise what took place was inevitable.
So if someone does know I¿m not too surprised they¿re not saying anything even though it¿s not right.
As a player who has played for a few team¿s on the Down¿s league I know what I have said is correct so would one like too answer this question why doe the ref¿s ignore it when its is been said. Or like they normally say I did not hear it.
Believe me when I say what took place was out of order and not acceptable but for me the good thing is its opened up a can of worms and its about time.
I have spoken too a few players on the Down¿s league and Bengal Tigers, who tell me as much as what took place was wrong this is not a race issue but a football matter that needs to be dealt. But the committee in their haste made errors and that¿s why they were re-instated.”
by Chris, Bristol
Friday, November 14 2008, 4:11PM
“I was hoping that I would get that answer.
So if you are aware he is white you do know who he is.
Surely this is illegal, witholding information...”