Blame Is On Alleged Racist Ref Who Made Wrestler Cut Hair: Lawyer

BUENA, NJ - A New Jersey high school wrestler caught up in a racially-charged controversy that has captured the nation’s attention wants to make sure the right people are held accountable.

“Andrew Johnson and his family support the coaching staff, particularly coach George Maxwell and trainer (Denise) Fields,” Johnson family attorney Dominic Speziali told the Buena Regional Board of Education at its emergency meeting Wednesday night. “The burden of blame lies squarely on the referee.”

The board of education called an emergency meeting to be held at the high school Wednesday night, one week after referee Alan Maloney told Johnson that he had to cut his dreadlocks or forfeit his match during a dual meet with Oakcrest.

Johnson chose to cut his hair, with Fields doing so in public. The incident was captured in a video that went viral on social media and can be seen below.

“Fields had minimal to no role to play,” Speziali said. “Maxwell pleaded with the ref. There were other administrators there who didn’t do what Maxwell did. They remained silent.”

The purpose of the emergency meeting was to allow the board of education to go into closed session to discuss “personnel matters.” The board wasn’t specific about what personnel matters would be discussed, and no action was taken following the closed session portion of the meeting. The public was given the opportunity to speak before the board went into closed session.

Unlike Johnson and his family, not everyone was convinced the coaching staff shouldn’t be held accountable. Rev. William Cowherd read a letter addressed to the board written by Buena Mayor Chuck Chiarello, who was addressing the board as a citizen.

“I am deeply concerned to learn how the incident was handled by the referee, the coaching staff and other individuals involved,” Chiarello wrote. “I am deeply disappointed in the public spectacle it became, that it was done for the whole crowd to see. His style of hair made no difference in the outcome of the match. It was inappropriate for a referee to make a last minute decision like that without knowing the rules. How the situation was handled was an embarrassment.”

Buena Committeeman and former wrestler Steve Martinelli was a little more explicit in his thoughts.

“That pig humiliated this kid,” Martinelli said of Maloney. “He doesn’t belong at that level.”
Before Johnson’s bout began, Maloney told him his hair length and headgear weren't in compliance with regulations. He told Johnson if he didn't cut his hair, he would have to forfeit the match. Johnson decided to cut his hair so he wouldn't have to forfeit.

But Maloney didn't attend the weigh-ins or express any concern about Johnson's hair length or need to wear a head covering before the start of the dual meet, Johnson's parents previously said in a statement. Johnson went on to win the match.

“The coaches had an obligation to protect his rights,” National Awareness Alliance Chairman Walter L. Hudson Sr. said. “He shouldn’t have been degraded like that. We have already called for that referee to be banned for life because of his history. He shouldn’t be allowed to referee wrestling or any other sport involving our student athletes in the state of New Jersey.”

Maloney reportedly used a racial slur at a social gathering of officials in 2016, according to the Courier-Post. He used the slur in an argument over homemade wine in a Jersey Shore condominium, prompting another official, Preston Hamilton, who is black, to slam Maloney to the ground.

"You know, people do make mistakes and I apologized," Maloney told the Courier-Post at the time. "I really don't think this should go any further than it's gone anyhow. … The remark was not made to him. After he told me what I said, it was pertaining to us breaking each other's stones. … I didn't remember it. I was told it. I believed it and said, 'Yo, that ain't me.' That's when I called him right away and that's when he told me we were good."

The school district and the New Jersey Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) - the state’s governing body for high school sports that determines what officials are assigned to events, among its other duties - have reached an agreement that Maloney will no longer be assigned to Buena’s contests in any sport. The NJSIAA and the New Jersey Division of Civil Rights are conducting an investigation, which the school district is cooperating with.

"Regulations regarding hair length and legal hair covers for wrestlers are provided by the National Federation of State High School Associations," the NJSIAA said in a statement. "At this point, the NJSIAA is working to determine the exact nature of the incident and whether an infraction occurred."

Speziali said Johnson wouldn’t be with the team when it competes in a tournament on Thursday. Speziali said he was in tears following the match, and that he’s not ready to return to the mat yet.

“He’s awaiting the investigation to see what comes out of it,” Speziali said. “He will wrestle again, and soon.”

YouTube video/photos

See related: See How NJ Ref With Alleged Racist Past Made Teen Cut Dreadlocks