AN investigation has been launched after a children’s under-10s football game was abandoned on Sunday.

The match was between Wickford Town Leopards and Basildon-based Berry Boys Tigers at Billericay High School, in School Road.

A bystander told the Echo how the South East Essex Primary League game was abandoned because of the behaviour of some parents.

However, when asked to comment on the abandonment, Clive Lodge, chairman of Wickford Town, would not talk about the specifics surrounding the incident.

He would only say: “When there is an issue at a football match, the club’s welfare officers get involved with the other club’s welfare officer.

“It is a children’s football match and these things happen all the time.

“That’s all being dealt with at the moment.”

A spokesman from Berry Boys told the Echo they did not want to comment.

However, the spokesman did confirm the game was abandoned and that an investigation has now been launched in the aftermath.

The bystander said: “The game was abandoned and it seemed to be something to do with the parents.

“It seemed to be called off because a few parents were behaving badly, either way I think it is unfair.

“It’s awful for the kids who should be able to play football for fun, especially at that age.

“I really feel sorry for them.”

The Echo contacted the Essex FA which said it is not in a position to comment, until it has received a report from the match referee.

The FA’s Respect programme, which launched in 2008, sets out four practical steps in a bid to improve behaviour of all involved in a match.

These include codes of conduct, managing the match day environment, with the captain taking responsibility and the referee managing the game.