A statement released following the game’s conclusion alleged that a small number of away supporters had directed abuse at Cornwall’s players and staff.
Jack Byrnes’ double had earlier helped to steer Josh Mortimer’s side to a 18-10 triumph at their Betfred League One opponents – seeing them become the first York amateur side to beat professional opponents in the competition.
Their victory sets up a coveted home tie in the Fourth Round against fellow NCL side Wath Brow Hornets on the weekend of February 24-25, but the gloss was perhaps taken off that achievement in a match marred with confrontations and ill-discipline.
A handful of players across both teams spent time in the sin-bin, whilst Cornwall’s Josh Hartshorne was given his marching orders after one of a number of second-half melees.
And tensions continued to spill over off the pitch, with the hosts alleging that Acorn’s supporters had been abusive.
A club statement read: “Cornwall RLFC have been made aware of homophobic, racial and misogynistic abuse directed at members of our playing squad, medical staff and our ball crew, from a small section of away supporters at today’s Betfred Challenge Cup tie.
“The club does not condone this abhorrent behaviour as acceptable within the sport of rugby league, and it is not within the values of the newly launched Respect: Let’s make our game better together, campaign.”
The Press understands that a small number of travelling supporters made their ways onto the pitch in celebration after the game’s conclusion.
And Acorn have now released a statement of their own in response to the League One side, whom they believe have handled the situation “very unprofessionally”.
It said: “York Acorn have been made aware of extremely serious allegations made by Cornwall RLFC about fan conduct in the Third Round Challenge Cup tie that took place on Saturday, 10th February.
“We at the Acorn take these accusations incredibly seriously as should everyone that believes in Respect: Let’s make our game better together, campaign.
“We strongly believe that the situation has been handled very unprofessionally by Cornwall. If these accusations were true, they should have been handled instantly by the Cornwall RLFC management team and officials informed immediately, not told in a club statement released on social media several hours later.
“Here at York Acorn, we pride ourselves on sportsmanship and the ethos of rugby league. We believe our fans also understand the importance of respecting the officials and opposition, as it’s respect that sets rugby league apart from other sports.”
The club have also gone on the record to praise referee Kristoff Young, whom they believed handled the “hostility of the home fans” and officiated the tie in “a fair and assertive manner.”
“At York Acorn we do not believe in the abuse of officials either in the heat of the moment or in post match ‘reports,” the statement continued.
“With Cornwall finishing the game with 11 men on the pitch, we suggest they look internally at what went wrong instead of blaming the officials or opposition.
“Our boys travelled 400 miles, stayed overnight away from their families, and produced one of the great Challenge Cup upsets. We are incredibly proud of our coaches, players and support team.”
Both clubs say that they will make no further comment on the matter.
