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Airtricity League condemn Athlone Town's late withdrawal from First Division fixture

Hosts Waterford United confirmed the game would not go ahead just two hours before kick-off.

TONIGHT’S AIRTRICITY LEAGUE First Division meeting between Waterford United and Athlone Town has been postponed.

The fixture was due to kick off at 19.45 in Waterford this evening, but at 17.45 the home side confirmed it would not go ahead.

The move comes after weeks of financial difficult for the midlands club, with players and staff being left short on wages prompting a fans’ group to organise a collection for Alan Matthews’ squad last weekend.

The42 understands that Athlone players, by way of protest, decided not to board the bus travelling to the fixture. Athlone Town were unavailable for comment when contacted this evening.

“We take this matter extremely seriously and will be charging Athlone for failing to fulfil the fixture and for bringing the game into disrepute,” said Airtricity League director Fran Gavin.

“This is totally unacceptable. To be notified on the afternoon of an SSE Airtricity League fixture that a club cannot field a team is simply not good enough. We will be meeting with Athlone Town over the weekend to discuss this serious matter.”

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