Photo by Sean Walsh
WARRINGTON Town have issued a statement saying they are supporting goalkeeper Tony Thompson, following the incident that saw him sent off in the FA Trophy defeat to Guiseley.
Manager Mark Beesley slammed the incident, where Thompson’s water bottle had been apparently urinated in by a travelling fan, as “disgusting” after the match.
The story has since received widespread attention, featuring on the likes of BBC Sport, Mail Online and Sport Bible.
Cheshire Police have made enquiries to the club, while opponents Guiseley have also issued a statement condemning the incident.
The Yellows statement said: “The club is supporting goalkeeper Tony Thompson following the well-publicised incident that led to his sending off in the FA Trophy defeat to Guiseley at Cantilever Park on Saturday.
“The process of reviewing the video footage is ongoing. We note the statement from Guiseley AFC and will be providing them with the video footage.
“It goes without saying that the incident is deplorable and has no place in non-league football, football or society in general.
“We will await the referees report and FA charge before deciding what action to take regarding the red card.
“Our priority is ensuring that Tony is given the support he needs given the attention that the story is receiving, and we know he is thankful for the messages of support he has received, particularly from other goalkeepers.”
Thompson could be facing a three-match ban for his red card, which would rule him out of the home game against South Shields next Saturday, and then games against Stalybridge Celtic and Morpeth Town.
Youngster Kian Hall made his debut as a substitute after the red card, but the Yellows are likely to be forced in to the loan market unless Thompson’s red card is rescinded.
The Yellows woe was compounded as they conceded a 90th minute winner while down to 10 men, and then later saw striker Josh Amis shown a straight red card for an incident with Guiseley goalkeeper Kyle Trennery.
After the match, Yellows manager Mark Beesley struggled to comprehend what he had witnessed.
He said: “I don’t think I’ll ever be involved in anything like that again.
“The Guiseley staff apologised – it was disgusting and there’s no place in life for things like that.
“I think the referee has completely lost control after that – if someone urinates in my bottle and I drink it, I’m going to throw it away. To send him off for throwing the bottle away is a disgrace.
“It’s hard to talk about the football when such a big incident like that happens.
“From our point of view, the welfare of our players is paramount and what Tony was subjected to was disgraceful.
“Whoever did it should hang their head in shame and never be allowed into a football game again. The referee has to see common sense – I can’t understand it.”
Guiseley released a statement on Sunday morning. It read: “We are aware of a video circulating on social media which shows an individual swapping the bottles in the goal area, and that the replaced bottle allegedly contained urine. We unreservedly condemn this disgraceful action.
“We deplore the actions of the individual(s) concerned and we will work alongside Warrington Town and the police to identify them. If the individual(s) involved can be identified they will receive life bans from attending Guiseley AFC fixtures.”
Today I fell out of love with the GAME! I’ve been called many names but for someone to piss in my bottle, for me to drink it and then to be told I wasn’t allowed to react because I’m a player is outrageous. That person has put me my family’s health at risk and knocked me sick. https://t.co/6bVozrzMwF
— Tony Thompson (@tonythompson918) November 19, 2022
Footage here of bottles in @tonythompson918’s goal being swapped after a fan urinated in one earlier today.
Very, very grim. pic.twitter.com/GXiW1CuB4W
— Nathan Salt (@NathSalt1) November 19, 2022
📝 | We deplore the actions of the individual(s) concerned and we will work alongside Warrington Town and the police to identify them. If the individual(s) involved can be identified they will receive life bans from attending Guiseley AFC fixtures: https://t.co/e0WOZletFS #GAFC pic.twitter.com/qpqoUmGNkb
— Guiseley AFC (@GuiseleyAFC) November 20, 2022
Goalkeeper sees controversial red card as Yellows knocked out of FA Trophy
