Hartlepool United await verdict from Football Association after submitting observations of racist abuse allegations during Ebbsfleet United defeat

Tempers flare after the Vanarama National League match between Hartlepool United and Ebbsfleet United at Victoria Park, Hartlepool on Saturday 7th March 2020. (Credit: Mark Fletcher | MI News) | Other 3rd Party

The fallout from Hartlepool United’s defeat to Ebbsfleet United over a fortnight ago has taken a back seat in the wake of the National League suspension – but progress has been made.

Pools last home game was marred by controversy and allegations of racist abuse. A 44-year-old Hartlepool man was also charged by police for invading the pitch to confront the Fleet players during the heated affair at Victoria Park.

Disappointingly, the 1-0 defeat is likely to be Hartlepool’s last competitive home match in quite some time with the National League season currently on hold due to the coronavirus outbreak.

But the suspension certainly hasn’t waived the investigation into the allegations directed at Pools as they submitted their observations to the FA last week.

Hartlepool requested eye-witness accounts from supporters in the vicinity of the incidents in question and are believed to have been very impressed with the response.

The quality and consistency of the witness statements received have been highlighted by the club.

Fans are said to have expressed their incredibly strong views denying the allegations made by Ebbsfleet players Jermaine McGlashan and Jordan Holmes.

Many fan statements were consistent in specifying what they felt was said. The accounts detailed that the language used was foul but not racist or xenophobic in nature.

As a result, the club has submitted a robust defence stating that they can’t prove that anything untoward happened – now they must await the FA’s verdict.