What a bizarre afternoon.
Leyton Orient’s match with Colchester United was abandoned on Saturday afternoon as the home fans invaded the pitch and staged a sit-down protest against the club’s owner Francesco Becchetti.
There was five minutes remaining in the League Two game at Brisbane Road when the home fans halted the game, which Colchester were leading 3-1. The Orient fans chanted “Becchetti out!” and the game was eventually abandoned after 40 minutes of the protest.
However, around 30 minutes after the match was abandoned, and the fans had left the stadium, the final five minutes of the game were played in a near-empty stadium in what amounted utter farcical football.
A sad farewell to the EFL. ? Leyton Orient play out fixture after telling fans a pitch invasion had caused the game to be abandoned. pic.twitter.com/JgjQ8l7zfe
— Football On 5 (@FootballOn5) April 29, 2017
Orient were relegated last week, ending their 112 year stay in the Football League. Saturday’s match was their final game at home this season.
The London club was served with a winding-up petition over unpaid taxes earlier this year, and the future of the club remains in doubt. Becchetti, the club’s deeply unpopular owner, has until June 12 to pay off the debts or sell the club.
Football journalist Iain Macintosh was there to cover the bizarre events.
"Sit down for the Orient!" pic.twitter.com/Fcbr1j9vKd
— Iain Macintosh (@iainmacintosh) April 29, 2017
There's no way that this game is getting finished today. Orient fans in open rebellion now. *whispers* …and good for them… pic.twitter.com/1VwKGNC0dG
— Iain Macintosh (@iainmacintosh) April 29, 2017
"LISTEN!!!" Watch this stadium announcer fail miserably trying to get Leyton Orient fans to leave the pitch #lofc pic.twitter.com/CwLcoHVCfk
— PA Dugout (@PAdugout) April 29, 2017
Orient fans now accepting the applause of the Colchester fans, which is lovely, isn't it? pic.twitter.com/z6202URBKe
— Iain Macintosh (@iainmacintosh) April 29, 2017
The match has been abandoned. For the first time in many months, we hear the sound of Orient fans celebrating.
— Iain Macintosh (@iainmacintosh) April 29, 2017
The match has been abandoned. For the first time in many months, we hear the sound of Orient fans celebrating.
— Iain Macintosh (@iainmacintosh) April 29, 2017
The corner flags are going back in! The referee has tricked everyone! pic.twitter.com/G9SIwTmbGY
— Iain Macintosh (@iainmacintosh) April 29, 2017
Both teams and the officials going through a full warm up. This has been a very odd day. pic.twitter.com/A1ubk61MDu
— Iain Macintosh (@iainmacintosh) April 29, 2017
Well, we're back on. Colchester lead 3-1 with five minutes to play. Atmosphere's not what it was, mind. Why do some fans leave so early? pic.twitter.com/uvdmGxZUwc
— Iain Macintosh (@iainmacintosh) April 29, 2017
It's over. The last football at Brisbane Road is played out to an audience of about 42. One last dirty trick pulled on the Orient supporters
— Iain Macintosh (@iainmacintosh) April 29, 2017