SCUNTHORPE boss Andy Butler claimed Wealdstone refused to return to the pitch to play the final few minutes after Daniel Nkrumah’s injury.
The with only stoppage time left to play.
Scunthorpe boss Andy Butler claims the Wealdstone players refused to resume play
Wealdstone player Daniel Nkrumah suffered a dislocated shoulder in the 90th minute
It was the second time this week Scunthorpe had a match called off, after Eastleigh player in the closing stages of Tuesday’s match.
Butler was happy for the match against Wealdstone to resume and claimed the referee and the league supported that view, but the Stones’ players refused to come back out.
He told BBC Radio Humberside : “Their players refused to come out.
“The referee wanted them to come out and the league wanted them to come out, but they refused to come out, for whatever reason.
“From discussions [they felt] the players weren’t in the right mindset after seeing a player get injured.
“I’ve never seen it twice in a row. The one at Eastleigh was completely different. Player safety is paramount. It was a head injury and I 100% agree with it.
“This wasn’t a spinal injury, it was a shoulder injury – it popped out and has popped back in now. I remember popping my shoulder on this field and walking off.
“I’m not saying the players exaggerated it. I have to be careful, but I know my players would carry on.
“My players were professional and exemplary in the way they conducted themselves to make sure they were ready for the restart of the match. I’m proud of my team.”
After the abandonment Scunthorpe announced the match had been referred to the National League.
Scunthorpe were leading 2-1 at the time and Butler believes the result should stand, suggesting Wealdstone forfeited.
He added: “If it doesn’t stand, it sets a precedent further down the line for every game – if you’re not getting the result and are down to 10 men and used your substitutes, you go off and refuse to go back on the pitch.
“They’ve forfeited it by refusing to come out.”
Scunthorpe are now waiting on confirmation from the National League on whether their matches against Eastleigh and Wealdstone will be replayed.
In the National League South 2023/24 campaign, Eastbourne Borough and Truro City replayed a fixture after the match was abandoned following a serious knee injury to a player in the 63rd minute.
SunSport has contacted Wealdstone and the National League for comment.
