SUNDAY’S London & South East Regional Women’s Football League Trophy final between Clapton CFC Women’s First Team and Dulwich Hamlet Reserves was abandoned with Clapton leading 2-0.

The club said they were told that management at the venue, Maidstone United’s James Whatman Way, objected to the presence of a Palestine flag among Clapton’s support and an anti-genocide banner among the Dulwich Hamlet support.

Both sets of supporters, in a crowd of around 300, indicated they did not wish to remove their flag/banner and the venue, league and match officials decided the game could not continue.

There was an offer to play the game to a conclusion behind closed doors but Clapton CFC, a member-owned and member-run club, said the players felt that football without fans is nothing.

A statement from Clapton CFC players said: “Today, 32 women were denied the opportunity to play the L&SERWFL Trophy final.

“About 20 minutes into the match, both Clapton and Dulwich supporters were approached by a representative of Maidstone United owners [James Whatman Way]. He demanded that our supporters must stop waving the Palestinian flag, and the Dulwich supporters must take down their banner which read ‘Show genocide the red card.’

“After both groups of supporters refused, a league official walked on to the field of play to stop the game. In a discussion with the match officials, players and coaches, he communicated that we could not use the ground while both the Palestinian flag and the banner were displayed.

“Our given options were to 1) play the game behind closed doors or 2) to abandon the game. Clapton’s players chose to abandon the game. Both sets of fans then came together in solidarity with the Palestinian people, singing more songs and holding up our banners in support of trans women and the Palestine people, respectively.

“Our players and fans are united in their support and concern for Palestinians who are being bombed daily. Showing that support with a flag or banner is no reason to abandon a cup final.” 

The L&SERWFL have said the cup final is void and will not be replayed or awarded to either finalist. There is no word yet on whether refunds will be issued. Both clubs will also now face an FA disciplinary process.

There has been no comment yet from Maidstone United, the L&SERWFL or Dulwich Hamlet, but the Dulwich fan group Pepper Army have posted a statement.