Haringey Borough v Yeovil: Police investigate as FA Cup tie abandoned after reports of racial abuse

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Police say they are investigating after an FA Cup match between Haringey Borough and Yeovil Town was abandoned amid reports of racial abuse by fans.Officers are also investigating after items were reportedly thrown onto the playing area, a Metropolitan Police spokesperson told BBC Sport.Saturday's match was abandoned after Haringey's manager took his team off the field in the second half.

There have been no arrests yet and inquiries are continuing.The match, played at Haringey's Coles Park Stadium, was in the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup, with the winner set to progress to the first round proper.

Haringey goalkeeper Valery Douglas Pajetat was reportedly spat at and hit by an object thrown from the Yeovil Town end.

Defender Coby Rowe was then "racially abused", according to Haringey boss Tom Loizou, who said "there was no way I could let him continue".Avon and Somerset Police says it will be assisting the Met, and have asked anyone with information or video footage to contact them.

The Football Association is also investigating and said it was "deeply concerned" about the allegations.

"There is no room for discrimination in our game and we are working with the match officials and the relevant authorities, as a matter of urgency, to fully establish the facts and take the appropriate steps," said an FA statement.

The incident came four days after England's Euro 2020 qualifier in Bulgaria was halted twice as fans were warned about racist behaviour, including Nazi salutes and monkey chanting.

Haringey play in the Isthmian League Premier Division and Yeovil are in the National League.

"It's very distressing," Loizou told BBC Radio 5 Live. "The abuse a few of my players got was disgusting.

"Yeovil's players and manager were different class. Their team tried to calm their supporters down, they tried their best and they supported us - they said 'if you're walking off, we're walking off with you'.

"I took the decision to take my team off and I don't want Yeovil Town to get punished for it. If we get thrown out of the FA Cup and they go through, there is no hard feelings there.

"I have not done it for any other reason than looking into my players' faces and seeing how distraught they were. They are not used to this."