(Reuters) – A match in England’s Isthmian League South East Division has been postponed after two players for village team Lancing were called up for Bermuda in a seemingly unprecedented case of international duties disrupting such a low-tier fixture.
Defender Luke Robinson and forward Knory Scott are in the Bermuda squad for two matches against fellow Caribbean nation Dominica in the CONCACAF Nations League.
While England’s Premier League and Championship routinely have international breaks, matches in the third tier and below go ahead – unless teams are depleted by call-ups
“It’s ridiculous for a club at this level,” said Barry Sutton, chairman of eighth-tier Lancing, who had been due to play Three Bridges in the town of Crawley.
Lancing were also missing two other players, Sam Bull and Charlie Gibson, on duty for England at the under-23 six-a-side World Cup in Croatia.
“To have one person called up (Scott in 2023) was something we celebrated, but to have four off in the same week is unheard of,” Sutton added in comments to the BBC.
Lancing, who proudly hang a Bermuda flag behind a goal at home games, thanked the Isthmian League for their understanding.
(Reporting by Aadi Nair in Nashik, India; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)
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