NON-LEAGUE football bosses have launched an investigation after a Darwen FC game was abandoned at the weekend.

The North West Counties Football League is investigating allegations of abuse against match officials, after the club’s game against South Liverpool had to be abandoned on Saturday, with the visitors leading 2-1.

It was alleged a match official was verbally abused during the First Division North clash but enquiries are ongoing and the league is still awaiting the official match report.

It will consult with the clubs and relevant authorities once this has been received.

The matter could be passed on to the Football Association (FA) which will decide on a punishment, should any parties be found guilty.

The league said it has been “very clear” about the rules players and spectators need to follow during games.

A spokesman for North West Counties Football League said: “The league is investigating the abandonment of the Darwen v South Liverpool game on Saturday due to alleged abuse of the match officials.

“The league is still awaiting the match official’s report from the game and will consult with the clubs and relevant authorities once this has been received.

“Ultimately the matter will be investigated by The FA, which will decide on the punishment should any party been found guilty.

“However, the league has made it very clear to clubs about behaviour of players, management and spectators and should incidents occur then it will take appropriate action, including the deduction of points, the ban on the sale of alcohol on match day or the closure of grounds to spectators.”

A Darwen FC spokesman said they are investigating as the game had to be abandoned after “certain allegations” were made.

They declined to provide further comments or information.

A spokesman said: “The game was abandoned on Saturday and certain allegations were made.

“At the present time we are awaiting the officials reports and currently investigating therefore, we cannot comment further at this time.”

South Liverpool FC chairman Gary Langley also refused to comment on the allegations but insisted none of their supporters were involved.