“I enjoyed a number of years of involvement with a club in the Downs League and the major irritation for me was the playing of unregistered players,especially for evening games,when teams outperform anything they have achieved previously.In my experience a good proportion of clubs condone this practice and therefore cannot be surprised when an unregistered player commits an act of thuggery,without fear of reprisal.It is time that the Downs league eradicated this practice which has been going on for decades..and I am not immune from criticism in this respect.The practice of picking up players from outside the Downs dressing room to supplement teams that are short of players on match days has always been conveniently overlooked.It is time that the Downs League and GFA put their house in order and introduced some reliable scheme which ensured that players are registered for their club,are free from suspension, and are the player who they say they are.Its easy to put the name of a registered player on a teamsheet in place of the player who actually played.If the league and the referees can be certain that all players on the pitch are properly registered then at least the full disciplinary action can be applied.The 'player
'being protected (by Bengal Tigers) should be outed and the GFA should impose a Sine Die ban that will ensure that he never sets foot on a football pitch again.”

“I've been told that Bengal know the person involved in this incident by an ex-Bengal player. However, they choose not to. I've tried to put on this forum why but have been moderated for some reason - i'm not raciist, just a Downs League player that wants the truth out in the open.”

“As a supporter of a team that plays in this league, made up of people of many races and backgrounds, I have to say that neither side comes out of this smelling of roses.

It is a fact that there are occasional instances of racism from some players and 'fans' in the League. I've witnessed it against my team, and been proud of the fact that the white players and fans from my team have always challenged it.

But from what I've read, it is disingenuous of Mr. Haque to play the race card in this instance. A thug is a thug, no matter the colour of his skin. As the match official and club secretary, he should do everything in his power to name and act against this idiot. His comments suggest that he has not.

However, I agree with him that the League officials acted outside of the rules. The rules are there in part to ensure that decisions following incidents like this are fair, open and transparent. If they had followed them, then this matter would never have arisen in the first place. Because they did not, the Tigers have every right to challenge the decision and get a visibly fair hearing.

There are people on both sides who should be taking a long hard look at themselves right now. In my opinion, the game would be better off without any of them.”

“So what just because they are a Asian team that expect to get the special treatment? By implying that is that not being racist towards all the other sides and nationalities? What ever your nationality you have to abide by the rules and if you don't then you have to face the consequences.

If you are representing the Asian community then you ain't doing a very good job of it and in fact are making Asians look bad. You are segregating yourselves because you can't abide by the rules of the game. It is not the governments fault you can't do that.”

“Shock the race card has been brought out!! When can the white people start using it?? I cant wait!!!!”

“So then Syed Haque club secretary of Bengal who refereed that day, show us all that you really have respect for rules and law yourself by naming the unregistered Bengal player who could have killed the opposition player in that match. I think you and your team's silence on this point says much more about your ethos that any claims of 'unfairness'.

Also can someone tell me how leaving Bengal with their appaling disciplinary record go unpunished, helps either them or any other team on the downs?”

“Not everything to do with the asian community and bad incidents come down to race. It is possible that an asian person can be violent without race playing any part.

This incident was nothing to do with race on either side, it was down to the thuggish behaviour of one individual in particular, who Bengal apparently will not identify.

I personally do not think Bengal should be allowed back in due to their history and the obvious fact that both players AND REFEREES do not want to be involved with them.

It is about time people got some balls and said no to a team regardless of race because of the blatent facts.”

“Ok - technically the Downs commitee have made an error by not following the correct procedure and it is probably 'technically' correct that they are re-instated.
The simple fact is that Bengal Tigers have a very poor disciplinary record and this specific incident was a criminal act , by an un-registered player who the club have failed to inform the police of his name/address. For the Bengal officials to play the race card is a real shame, as this has nothing to do with race. However they are trying to make the Downs commitee and players looks as if we're racist and that is certainly not the case. I would say the Downs League is the most racially diverse league in the south-west.
As for 'Footballer, Bristol' (who do you play for?) - you have a very out-dated view on Downs League players The standard in the top division is now very good, with some players who have previously (myself included) played semi-pro football but choose to play in this wonderful and unique league that Bristol should be proud of and unfortunately this incident has given a negative impression to those who know little about the game or this league in particular.”

“Having played on the Downs on that day only 3 pitches away I was shocked to read the story in the paper. If the Bengal Tigers players were so hard done by, why did they all run to their cars and drive away before the police arrived on the scene.
And to then play the race card is disgusting. Whatever culture or background a player comes from, does not mean that they are exempt from punishement. for what was a terrible act of violence. If this had happened in the centre of Bristol on a Saturday night then the perpertrator would have been arrested and prosecuted. The attacker is lucky not to have been prosecuted in this instance.
The Tigers were not just removed from the league for that incident it was for their previous behaviour as well. I myself have been on the receiving end of the Tigers behaviour, when during a game I dared to appeal a decision., which resulted in their golakeeper running to the other end of the pitch to 'offer me out' to a fight. Sportmanslike, I think not.
It is quite obvious that it is easier to put this down to a race issue, than to accept responsibility for their actions.
This league which has a fantastic history should not be dragged through the press in this manner. Whilst the small minority of players can be blamed for the incident, surely the team management should be accountable as they signed these players.”

“Let the Downs League officials resign. Let people who abide by the rules run it. No-one's indispensible.”