A North Somerset football team walked off the pitch yesterday after its players said a homophobic insult was hurled at them.
Shipham AFC were playing Portishead Town FC on Saturday October 10, when it was alleged that one of the Portishead players made a homophobic and abusive comment.
The Somerset village team posted on Twitter claiming: "Proud of the team today for walking off. Clear homophobic abuse. Unacceptable behaviour at any level of the sport. Absolutely disgusting and the player in question needs to have a long hard look at himself."
The Portishead club responded on Twitter with: "It goes without saying that we as a club do not condone this behaviour whatsoever, and will investigate further. It should not and will not be tolerated. Happy to comply and help with anything the league may request."
It added: "We as a club are fully inclusive and do not condone this sort of behaviour and we will investigate and assist the league once the report is in.
In an official statement shared on the Portishead Town FC Twitter page, wrote: "We have been made aware of an incident in today’s A team game AFC Shipham and have responded to, and will work with, the parties involved. We will make no further comment at this time."
In the statement attached to the tweet they wrote: "It's been brought to our attention that there was an incident involving one of our players in our A team match away vs Shipham today, to which we have responded to with those involved.
"We are a fully inclusive family orientated club and do not condon this sort of behaviour and will investigate and assist the league and Shipham once the report is in."
It also warned against a "public witch-hunt" following the incident.
When asked for comment by a BBC reporter, Shipham AFC responded: "No comments will be made regarding the incident until the formal investigation has been completed and the Somerset FA have made their statement."
