A JUNIOR football match ended in controversy when parents flashed mobile phones at players to put them off during a penalty shoot-out.
Up to 100 supporters of Knuzden Youth under-13s, of the Blackburn and Darwen District Junior League, and Moston Brook, who play in the Reddish and District League, were behind the goals at the Lancashire FA County Ground in Leyland for the Tesco-sponsored County Cup Final. The match was drawn 2-2 and, with no further goals in extra-time, it went to a penalty shoot-out, which Moston won.
Lancashire FA officials now plan to study the referee's report after crowd members cheered missed penalties and used their mobile phones to try to distract players taking the kicks.
The trouble began when Moston Brook's 12-year-old goalkeeper was sent off during the shoot-out for alleged comments made to the referee.
This led to his manager and her assistant running on to the pitch and confronting the referee.
One FA official at the game said: "It was a disgraceful situation. The pair should not have gone on the pitch, and the cheering of missed penalties and the use of mobile phones to put off young players taking penalties is frankly beyond belief."
David Burgess, chief executive of the Lancashire FA, said: "We were not happy with events during the penalty shoot-out and await the referee's report.
"Lancashire FA youth committee officials will then meet to discuss appropriate action."
The game also marred Knuzden's superb start to the season, which has seen them rack up seven wins out of seven in the Blackburn and Darwen League.
