Amateur football club charged after John Barnes visit marred by racist abuse
An amateur football team has been charged by the FA after a surprise visit by football legend John Barnes was marred when supporters allegedly hurled racist abuse at players.
The ex-Liverpool star came to Stafford Town's ground to congratulate Cheslyn Hay-based Hawkins Sports FC for winning a competition to play a match at Anfield.
He gave a team talk and even treated players to his famous rap from 1990 World Cup anthem World in Motion.
But the atmosphere turned sour when some of Cannock-based opposition side Littleton FC's fans allegedly started abusing some of the black Hawkins players.
The FA has charged the club 'failing to ensure that players, officials or spectators conducted themselves in an orderly fashion, aggravated by racist and/or discriminatory language and/or behaviour'.
And Hawkins have also been charged with fielding ineligible players in the Premier Cup Final in May, which they won 3-2. The Cannock Chase League charged the club, and an appeal was launched against the decision to the Staffordshire FA - which upheld the charges.
Now Hawkins boss Adam Pearce says they will appeal to the national FA.
Littleton have requested a personal hearing over the racism charges on July 14. They will then be able to make their defence and argue against the accusations.
Competition organisers Barclays had arranged for John Barnes to turn up on May 11.
Hawkins won a place in the match at Anfield last month when they attracted thousands of votes in a Facebook competition. They played at the famous ground on May 24.
Hawkins boss Adam Pearce refused to comment on the alleged racism but said Barnes was a 'top bloke' who spent hours with the players' families and friends.
He added: "He was brilliant and that's what we will remember."
And he said he was confident the charges laid against Hawkins would be disproved. He added: "This claim has been made against us. We are confident we have got the documents to prove we have done nothing wrong."
Staffordshire FA football operations manager Adam Evans said: "Littleton have requested a personal hearing about the charges issued, which will take place on July 14.
"They have been charged under FA Rule E20, for failing to ensure that players, officials or spectators conducted themselves in an orderly fashion, aggravated by racist and/or discriminatory language and/or behaviour.
"The case has not been proven and Littleton will be able to put forward a defence at the hearing."
He added: "The Cannock league decided that Hawkins had fielded ineligible players. An appeal was made to the Staffordshire FA but was dismissed."
Paul Andrews, Littleton FC manager said the club does not tolerate any form of racism.
He added: "We do not have any racism within our club. All our players want to do is play football so it is a shame that it has come to this.
"However, I understand that the FA must investigate the matter and assess the situation."
