Northern Premier League chairman Mark Harris has been relieved of his duties pending an investigation into an allegation he despatched an abusive email to an FC United of Manchester fan over a controversial resolution to vary the venue for a vital end-of-season recreation.
The allegation centres round Harris’ response to an email from FC United supporter Aled Duckfield, complaining in regards to the NPL’s resolution to modify the situation of FC United’s match with Stockton Town to close by Curzon Ashton on 21 April.
The recreation has been postponed on six events as a consequence of pitch points at FC United’s Broadhurst Park floor.
In his email to Harris, Duckfield referred to 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 be the topic of a Football Association investigation, on Friday morning.
“Following a meeting of the Board, the Northern Premier League can confirm that Chairman Mark Harris has been relieved of his duties with immediate effect, pending a full disciplinary investigation,” mentioned an NPL spokesperson.
Harris has refused to touch upon the alleged email, however BBC Sport has been advised he reported himself to the FA.
The FA mentioned: “We can confirm that we are investigating this matter. As this is an ongoing process, we are not in a position to provide further comment.”
Harris is a vastly revered determine inside non-league circles.
He was appointed NPL chairman in 2009. He additionally serves on the FA’s National Leagues Pyramid Board.
FC United argue the choice to maneuver the match towards Stockton may have an effect on their title probabilities – they’d go prime in the event that they win their recreation in hand – and in addition impacts them considerably from a monetary perspective.
The membership misplaced at Broadhurst Park to title rival Hednesford Town 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 not afford to danger a postponement given the season ends on 25 April and the excellent recreation has important implications for each the title and play-off photos.
FC United steered 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 ‘severe considerations’ on the recreation being moved.
There has been 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 in the email attributed to the NPL Chair is clearly completely unacceptable – however it is reflective of the attitude that so many involved in the governance of the game have towards supporters,” mentioned an FC United spokesperson.
“It also raises fundamental questions among supporters about whether decisions involving FC United can be approached with the true impartiality that the role demands. On the face of this email, many will be understandably concerned.
“We can be searching for pressing clarification from the Northern Premier League.”
