Officiants At NJ HS Football Game Accused Of Racial Bias: Reports

PLAINFIELD, NJ — The state is investigating a group of officiants after they were accused of racial bias and unfair practices during a Plainfield High School football game, according to multiple reports.

Plainfield superintendent Rashon Hasan sent a letter to the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association last week following the Sept. 8 game against Montgomery High School, where officiants called 44 accepted penalties, with 36 of them being against the Plainfield Cardinals, the Courier News reported. Plainfield head coach James Williams and an assistant were also tossed from the game late in the fourth quarter.

"Every time we broke a long run, it was a flag ... Every time we scored a touchdown, it was a flag," Williams told CBS New York. "I think it was racially [sic] bias. You know, this is nothing new. It's been going on for a long time with the urban schools and the officiating crew."

According to Williams, an officiant also made derogatory comments to a middle school coach during the game.

"He was the ball boy, and they kept calling him 'boy.' 'Get over here, boy.' 'Come here, boy.' That's not right," Williams told CBS New York.

In his letter to the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association obtained by TAPinto Plainfield and the Courier News, superintendent Hasan said he received multiple complaints about the officiants' behavior, which painted "a disheartening picture of the officiating, specifically concerning its discriminatory, unfair, and unethical nature."

Hasan also asked the association to overturn Williams' suspension and cited specific examples of what he called poor officiating and inequitable practices during the game.

"I hold the responsibility of ensuring the well-being and fair treatment of our students," Hasan wrote. "Unfortunately, the events that transpired during the game have left me deeply troubled and compelled to bring this matter to your attention."

The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association has appointed a third party to investigate the allegations, CBS New York reported. However, in a response to Hasan's letter obtained by TAPinto Plainfield, the association said it would not overturn the coach's suspension.

"The NJSIAA takes seriously matters relating to sideline safety, behavior, sportsmanship, fair play, and certainly claims of racial bias. We're strongly committed to upholding the rules and applying them evenly, which we will do," the statement read. "Per NJSIAA rules, any coach disqualified from an NJSIAA football game is required to serve a one-game suspension. There are no appeals to a disqualification once it has been filed by an official."

Mother Khayiryyah Kornegay told CBS New York the game was "devastating" for her son.

"They had prepared hard and long for this only for it to be taken by the officials," Kornegay told the station.

Meanwhile, in a second letter released following the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association's response, Hasan expressed "profound disappointment" in the association's decision not to overturn Williams' suspension. He also banned the officiants from any facilities or property owned by Plainfield Public School District.

"These individuals have demonstrated a specific racial animus against our coaching staff which will not be tolerated by our District," Hasan wrote. "It is a direct threat to the safety, well-being, and educational environment of our students and staff."