Northern Premier League chairman Mark Harris has been relieved of his duties pending an investigation into an allegation he despatched an abusive electronic mail to an FC United of Manchester fan over a controversial determination to vary the venue for an important end-of-season recreation.
The allegation centres round Harris’ response to an electronic mail from FC United supporter Aled Duckfield, complaining concerning the NPL’s determination to change the situation of FC United’s match with Stockton City to close by Curzon Ashton on 21 April.
The sport has been postponed on six events as a consequence of pitch points at FC United’s Broadhurst Park floor.
In his electronic mail to Harris, Duckfield known as the choice “diabolical” and accused the NPL of “incompetence” and a “lack of governance”.
Harris’ alleged reply contained abusive language geared toward Duckfield, who mentioned he was “shocked” by the response.
The NPL Board met to debate the matter, which can also be the topic of a Soccer Affiliation investigation, on Friday morning.
“Following a gathering of the Board, the Northern Premier League can verify that Chairman Mark Harris has been relieved of his duties with instant impact, pending a full disciplinary investigation,” mentioned an NPL spokesperson.
Harris has refused to touch upon the alleged electronic mail, however BBC Sport has been advised he reported himself to the FA.
The FA mentioned: “We are able to verify that we’re investigating this matter. As that is an ongoing course of, we’re not ready to supply additional remark.”
Harris is a massively revered determine inside non-league circles.
He was appointed NPL chairman in 2009. He additionally serves on the FA’s Nationwide Leagues Pyramid Board.
FC United argue the choice to maneuver the match towards Stockton may have an effect on their title probabilities – they might go high in the event that they win their recreation in hand – and likewise impacts them considerably from a monetary perspective.
The membership misplaced at Broadhurst Park to title rival Hednesford City on Monday and have an extra league match, a neighborhood derby towards Hyde United on 18 April, which has not been moved.
The NPL really feel they can’t afford to threat a postponement given the season ends on 25 April and the excellent recreation has vital implications for each the title and play-off photos.
FC United urged having a pitch inspection at Broadhurst Park the day earlier than the sport and switching if the floor was deemed unplayable or the match was in danger. This was rejected by NPL.
Gainsborough Trinity and Warrington Rylands, who’re concerned in a battle for play-off positions with Stockton, have additionally advised the NPL they’ve ‘critical issues’ on the recreation being moved.
There was no indication the NPL will swap the match again once more, and the problem is considered separate to the allegations towards Harris.
“The language used within the electronic mail attributed to the NPL Chair is clearly fully unacceptable – nevertheless it’s reflective of the perspective that so many concerned within the governance of the sport have in direction of supporters,” mentioned an FC United spokesperson.
“It additionally raises elementary questions amongst supporters about whether or not choices involving FC United might be approached with the true impartiality that the position calls for. On the face of this electronic mail, many might be understandably involved.
“We might be searching for pressing clarification from the Northern Premier League.”
