Welsh National League Premier Division side Cefn Albion have released a statement announcing that racism allegations against them have been dropped by the Football Association of Wales.
Investigations began in April following their FAW Trophy semi-final against STM Sports on 16 March 2019, where incidents of alleged racist behaviour were reported.
However, a statement published on the club’s website revealed that the club have been cleared of any wrongdoing.
Separate charges of alleged encroachment of the pitch area and alleged failure of its spectators to conduct themselves in an orderly fashion were found to be proven.
The statement read: “Cefn Albion can confirm that after carefully considering the extensive written, verbal and video evidence that was submitted to assist with the investigations, the FAW panel decided that the all charges relating to racism were found not proven.”
The club made clear its disappointment with the charges that were found proven, but did accept that “some supporters were probably a little over exuberant in celebrating an extra time goal.”
The Cefn Mawr outfit won the semi-final 3-1, and went on to win the competition with a comprehensive win against Pontardawe Town in the final.
They continued: “We will take the necessary steps to remind all spectators of their responsibility to support the football club within the rules of the game.”
The statement concluded by saying: “We can now finally reflect wholly positively on an amazing 2018/19 season, that witnessed the football club lift a prestigious national trophy for the first time, and we can look forward and focus all our efforts on the new 2019/20 campaign knowing that the good name of the club has been upheld.
“We thank everyone who submitted vital evidence and the FAW panel members for their work and for giving us a fair hearing.”
According to ITV Sport, the FAW will give comment on Monday.
(Featured image: Mike James)
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