Rushden & Diamonds release player for ‘headbutting fan’ in club bar

Rushden’s defeat by Lye Town was watched by 339 people, one of whom was allegedly headbutted afterwards by a player

A Rushden & Diamonds player has been released following a bar “incident” with a fan after Saturday’s 4-0 home defeat against Lye Town.
It has been alleged on social media that the player headbutted the fan and, in their statement announcing that his registration had been immediately cancelled, AFC Rushden & Diamonds said that they have a “zero tolerance stance on any and all violence”.
The club have not named the player but they issued a statement on Saturday night within hours of the incident. “AFC Rushden & Diamonds are aware of an incident in the bar between a first-team player and a supporter following this afternoon’s defeat to Lye Town,” said the statement.
“The player in question has had his registration with the club cancelled with immediate effect and will not feature for the club going forward. Whilst football is a game that evokes extremes of emotions and divides opinions, AFC Rushden & Diamonds are committed to ensuring that all players, supporters and visitors treat one another with respect and are able to attend matches free from the threat of abuse of either a physical or verbal nature.
“AFC Rushden & Diamonds are committed to ensuring that any event hosted by the club is done so in a safe and welcoming environment and exercise a zero tolerance stance on any and all violence.”
The match, which was watched by a crowd of 339 at the Hayden Road Sports Ground in Rushden, was taking place in the Midlands section of the Northern Premier League.
Rushden, who were formed in 2011 after Rushden & Diamonds FC were expelled from the Conference, are bottom of their league following a dreadful sequence of four straight defeats in which they have conceded 17 times without scoring. Lye Town, who won with four second-half goals on Saturday, are seventh.