An investigation has been launched after a football match was called off following an alleged altercation between the referee and a manager.

The inquiry was opened by the Suffolk FA after a game between Westerfield United reserves and Old Newton United reserves was abandoned after 55 minutes on December 7. The two sides were competing in the Touchline SIL Suffolk and Ipswich Football League Intermediate Division A.

Roy Balmforth, secretary of Old Newton United and a spectator at the match, said: “The referee asked the Westerfield United reserves manager to leave the field of play.

“They exchanged a few words and the manager eventually left – but by that time the referee had already decided to abandon the match.”

Fred Hanniffy, chairman of Westerfield United, said the reserves manager involved was Shaun Woods.

A Suffolk FA spokesman said: “We have been made aware of the circumstances surrounding the abandonment of the match via the referee’s report and are currently carrying out an investigation.”