A row has broken out following the removal of an under 12s team from a cup competition.

Abraham Moss Warriors, who play in the Bury and Radcliffe League, were also fined £70 by the ' Lancashire Football Association (FA) after the traditional fast meant the team had to postpone five matches during October and November last year.

Manager June Kelly was outraged by the decision.

And her views have been backed up by one North West under 11s club and also criticised by another league organiser.

June said, "Half of the team is Muslim. We checked before we signed any registration forms that everything would be okay and were told by the league secretary it would not be a problem.

"Then in October we were told, 'sorry your request has been denied' and that we 'should have signed non-Muslim players'.

Ramadan is the Muslim month of fasting with those involved not eating or taking fluid from dawn to dusk.

The club who play their home games at Smedley Lane, Cheetham, were incensed by the decision and took the matter to appeal.

Although the fine was reduced from £250 to £70 and the cost of the appeal was waived, the FA upheld its decision and the cup ban and points deduction will stand.

Speaking to Asian Image Sport, Manchester Councillor Afzal Khan who sits on the club's committee said, "According to Islamic law children can pray and fast. If they do who's to say they shouldn't?"

"We live in a multi-cultural and multi-religious society. We should celebrate that and sport is an excellent way to improve community relations but this decision undermines it.

"We understand there has to be a system but we did offer a compromise so we could play later in the day."

"The FA's handbook clearly states that one should encourage players from minority communities, clearly there is a gap between their words and deeds."

He added, "When we joined the league they assured us it wouldn't be a problem."

However, Ismael Esat, Secretary of the Blackburn Community League told us, "I have been involved in leagues and football for over 30 years. From my understanding at the AGM each club has the chance to make their intentions known. Votes are then taken by all the other members of the league. Did they follow that route?

"There are many majority Muslim clubs in leagues we organise and that includes children and they don't have a problem with playing during the month of Ramadan."

"Many Muslim clubs and referees have to fulfill fixtures during the month."

The club have been strongly supported from the manager of Blackburn United under 12s.

Salim Dalal said, "It's a disgrace how the team have been treated because we are talking about kids after all. My lads have had to play matches through Ramadan and there's never any compromise when there should be."

Salim added, "Sport is about enjoyment and children cannot be expected to play whilst they are fasting."

"We've had similar problems trying to get our league to make arrangements. We don't want special treatement but just be able to field a full team."

Since the nine-point deduction, the team has slipped from fourth in the 15-team league to ninth but it is the elimination from the cup that has left Mrs Kelly devastated.

She said: 'We had already played and beaten teams in the league that we could have faced in the CUP so we had a good chance of going all the way."

Although the situation is not ideal June has spoken to other teams and we they have decided to play a series of friendlies for a Unity Cup. All those participating will get a medal.

Leader of the Manchester Labour Council, Richard Leese said "Manchester City has a proud history of supporting those with talent to excel in their chosen area. I am disappointed to see a team that clearly had the skills to reach the cup final and maybe even win being shunned due to them practising their religion.

"The Unity Cup is an excellent move, and I look forward to attending to watch the final. In the mean time we will do everything we can to prevent such discrimination taking place"

The Lancashire FA refused to comment on the case.