Referee Who Told New Jersey High School Wrestler To Cut Dreadlocks Or Forfeit Match Suspended For 2 Seasons
TRENTON, N.J. (CBS/AP) — A referee who told a high school wrestler to cut his dreadlocks or forfeit a match last year has been suspended for two seasons. The state Division on Civil Rights and state's athletic association announced the sanction Wednesday.
Buena Regional student Andrew Johnson, who is black, had been wearing a hair covering. But referee Alan Maloney, who is white, said he had to cut his hair or forfeit the match last December.
Also Wednesday, the state mandated bias training for high school sports officials and staff.
"Student athletes should be able to compete with each other on a level playing field," said Attorney General Gurbir Grewal. "Racial discrimination in the enforcement of the rules of any sport is inconsistent with the spirit of fair play. The Division on Civil Rights' action today makes it less likely that any student athlete will have to endure discrimination that not only undermines fair competition but also violates our state laws."
Johnson's attorney, Dominic Speziali, released a statement on the decision Wednesday that read, in part:
"Buena Regional High School wrestler Andrew Johnson scored another decisive win today, not on the mat, but for the progress of civil rights in New Jersey. ... The results of the DCR's investigation leaves no doubt that repeatedly disgraced referee Alan Maloney was flat-out wrong in his abhorrent treatment of Andrew. The DCR also concluded that one of the justifications Maloney gave to investigators for requiring Andrew to cut his hair—the existence of "tape or rubber bands in his hair"—was later 'demonstrated to be false.'
"It is our opinion that any individual with such a storied history of race-based incidents and continuing questions about his credibility should not face a limited suspension of twoyears, but should be permanently barred from officiating."
Maloney had been barred from officiating while an investigation proceeded. In March, he filed notice that he planned to sue for defamation and emotional distress.
His lawyer did not immediately respond to a phone message seeking comment on Wednesday.
(© Copyright 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)