A REFEREE threatened to abandon a school football final because of crowd trouble.

Referee Dave Scoreby warned teachers he would call off the match between two teams of under-15s.

The match, at York City's Bootham Crescent ground between the rival Joseph Rowntree and Oaklands schools, both in the York area, almost did not re-start after half-time.

About two dozen teenage supporters were heard chanting and shouting abusive language throughout the game.

Mr Scoreby, an experienced official, told teachers that the players would not return after half-time unless it was stopped.

Ground officials had twice appealed to supporters over the tannoy to tone down their language and remind them it was a school final.

Joseph Rowntree's headteacher, Hugh Porter, said he and several colleagues stood among the culprits for the remainder of the game.

He said: "Some older teenagers who had left school went to the game to take the opportunity to treat it as a Saturday football match.

"They were using bad language and chanting, which was not appropriate for a school final.

"The referee stopped the game and had a word with the organisers. Several teachers went to stand among them, which improved the situation.

"It is always disappointing when a school sports final is turned into a Saturday game by a minority. The vast majority of the crowd encouraged both teams."

Oaklands School spokes-man Gavin Cowley said those involved were not known to the school.

He said: "I have spoken to our staff who were there and I am satisfied that the behaviour described was not caused by our students. We condemn their behaviour in the strongest possible terms."