THE Warrnambool Rangers’ match against Vic Park was abandoned after less than 20 minutes of play yesterday at Jones Oval.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A Ballarat referee called off the Ballarat and District Soccer Association open division game after a Vic Park player was stretchered from the pitch following an alleged crude tackle when the Rangers were leading 2-nil.
It was not clear last night why the match had been called off and whether the result would stand.
Association secretary Jeremy Irvine declined to comment until the referee’s match report was submitted to the investigation and disciplinary board.
Rangers coach Nick Van Rooy confirmed he had been involved in the incident, which happened moments after Vic Park was called for offside.
“I wouldn’t call it a tackle, it was more of an accidental clash, a slip,” Van Rooy said.
He said he was concerned about the injured opponent at the time and was unsure why the game had been abandoned. He said there had been no abuse towards the referee or between the sides.
Vic Park coach Lucas Ellis said his side questioned the level of the tackle against Jaike Ludwig, who was taken to hospital with a suspected anterior cruciate ligament injury. He said he felt Van Rooy deserved a yellow card.
“I don’t think it was bad luck, it was definitely the tackle,” he said. “I wouldn’t have questioned the way we reacted and I didn’t think we were disrespectful to the referee.”? BALLARAT COURIER