Varsity football at risk of being cancelled

Bristol football fans have been stunned to learn that this year’s Varsity football matches between the UWE and UoB male and female teams are in danger of being cancelled.

The Varsity Board have today announced an investigation into last week’s controversial rugby fixtures, in which some drunken fans were alleged to have damaged the Ashton Gate stadium. Whilst this investigation is ongoing, “all fixtures between the two Universities, including Varsity Football, have been suspended.”

According to the Board: “Footage is being reviewed to identify where offences have been committed and disciplinary measures will follow as appropriate.”

Responding to the decision to suspend Varsity football, the UWE and Bristol Men’s and Women’s Football Clubs issued a joint statement that included the following:

“We understand the need to identify the individuals involved and therefore the suspension, but to cancel completely would a knee-jerk reaction. Whilst we completely accept that the students on Thursday are ultimately responsible, we also feel that mistakes were made by organisers in terms of crowd management.”

The full statement, as tweeted by the University of Bristol Association Football Club

“We in no way hold any members of the four rugby clubs involved responsible. Thursday’s fixtures were played in a spirit of sportsmanship and respect and it is a deep shame that certain spectators couldn’t follow the example of the players involved. In turn, the rugby clubs have assured us that we have their full support in campaigning to have our fixture reinstated.”

“Given the massive growth of women’s football in Bristol and the unprecedented success of both men’s clubs in BUCS competition this season, the event at Ashton Gate should have been a magnificent spectacle and a fitting series finale. It is to the detriment of Bristol’s sporting community that it now may not go ahead.”