Football match abandoned after alleged antisemitic slur by Hitchin Town player
Southern League fixture abandoned after London Lions accuse opponent of repeated abuse
London Lions home football match against Hitchin Town FC has been abandoned following allegations that one of the away team repeatedly made antisemitic remarks, Jewish News understands.
A post on Lions X social media account simply read “Game abandoned” after the Southern League game played on Saturday afternoon at the club’s Rowley Lane ground.
It is understood Hitchin were leading 2-0 at the time the game ended in the final minutes of the match.
Lions players appeared to take the decision to leave the field of play together after the 85th minute in a united stance over the incident.
Sources told Jewish News that problems began after one of the Hitchin players allegedly described the Lion’s players as “big nosed”.
It is claimed the taunts continued, despite complaints from the home side.
In a club statement Hitchin confirmed:”This game was abandoned after 85 minutes with Hitchin leading 2-0.
“An allegation that a Hitchin player made discriminatory remarks led to the London Lions’ players choosing to leave the pitch, giving the referee no choice but to abandon the game.
“We are now working with the relevant authorities to conduct a full investigation into the allegations. Until this is complete we are unable to make any statement on the incident.
“As a club we will not tolerate any forms of discrimination or abuse and we will await the findings of the investigation upon which we will then provide a further update.”
Spectators at the game suggested they were taken by surprise by the incident, and stressed that relations between the two clubs have tradionally been good.
Hitchin fans and management were seen having positive conversations with Lions supporters and officials even after the game ended.
Lions have not commented on the allegations, but the Football Association will now almost certainly open a prope into the allegations.
Under Football Association protocol, allegations of racism should immediately be brought to the attention of the referee.
If the abuse continues, and participants are deemed to be at risk of further racist abuse, the referee can decide to abandon the game.
But in this instance, it appeared as though Lions players took the decision to walk off the pitch in protest at conduct of one Hitchin player.
There are claims one of the Hitchin players suggested there was no difference between “big nosed” taunts and calling someone “fat.”
MATCH ABANDONED
— Hitchin Town FC (@HitchinTownFC) December 6, 2025
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