Islamabad, Mar 11 2025: A police investigation is underway after a man, reportedly carrying a rifle, appeared at the touchline of an under-10s football match in Herefordshire before disappearing into nearby woods.
Referee Nick Fish, who was officiating at Ledbury Rugby Club on Saturday morning, said the man was spotted near the pitch holding a device with a barrel-like fitting.
Concerned for the safety of the young players, Nick Fish suspended the match for over an hour and removed the children from the field.
A photograph of the man, taken by a parent, was shown to two police officers who arrived at the scene. However, a subsequent search by West Mercia Police yielded no suspect or firearm.
Fish expressed surprise that the authorities did not initially classify the incident as a firearms-related threat.
The police later clarified that the sighting had occurred hours before it was officially reported, affecting the response.
Describing the situation as a frightening experience, Fish noted that parents were left in shock. He admitted uncertainty over whether the weapon was real or a replica but questioned why anyone would bring such an object to a children’s match.
He confirmed plans to meet police again for further discussions and urged the individual involved to come forward to clarify the situation.
