Youth football club begins investigation after boy refuses to play against Jewish team

From Jewish News

A children’s football club has launched an urgent investigation that could lead to a player expulsion after one of its members refused to take part in a match against a Jewish team.

North London based Panthera FC boys under-14s team took the field with only nine players on Sunday for a game against Maccabi Lions after a parent of one member objected to their child playing football with Jews. The team was already under-strength, with only 10 players available on the day. When another withdrew, reportedly due to not wanting to play alongside Jewish children, the side was left with only nine players.

The Football Association is supporting an investigation into allegations of discrimination made against parents who were alleged to have stopped their offspring playing.

Initially reports claimed one parent had stopped their youngster playing because he or she had “objected to their child playing football with Jews”. However, claims later emerged online via a parent on the Jewish team’s side that four parents had intervened to stop children from playing.

In a heartfelt message to club members sent on Monday morning and seen by Jewish News, Panthera FC said: ” If you, as parents, harbour prejudice of any kind that could affect your child’s experience or our culture of inclusivity, then we must be honest – this may not be the right club for you.”

Jewish News has contacted Maccabi Lions for comment.

What a terrible shame