The New Jersey Athletic Association announced on Saturday that a referee’s directive for a high school wrestler to cut his dreadlocks or forfeit the match has incited backlash from an Olympic wrestler, the state’s governor, and others. The referee, Alan Maloney, will not officiate any matches pending a review of the incident.
Michael Cherenson, spokesperson for the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association, stated that they have consulted with referee assigning groups who have unanimously agreed to refrain from assigning Alan Maloney to any events until further notice. During a match, Buena Regional High School wrestler Andrew Johnson complied with cutting his hair, despite having it covered, at the referee’s request.
However, Maloney, who is white, insisted that it was not enough. A video shared by SNJ Today on Twitter captured Johnson cutting his hair just before the match began. Although Johnson went on to win the match, he was visibly upset. A post on Burroughs’ Twitter account denounced the incident as “wrongfully exerting authority, displaying racism, and sheer neglect.”
In an Instagram video, Burroughs criticized the lack of intervention by parents and coaching staff during the match, labeling it “utterly disgraceful.” He commended Johnson for his composure during the match while facing “adversity and racism.” Johnson mentioned that Maloney had officiated some of his high school matches earlier. Governor Phil Murphy also weighed in on the matter, expressing deep concern on Twitter, stating that “no student should be forced to choose between their identity and participating in sports unnecessarily.”
The state attorney general’s office confirmed that an investigation by the Division on Civil Rights is underway. The school superintendent reiterated their support for all student athletes in a letter to the community. Maloney had previously been involved in a racial incident in 2016 with a black referee, as reported by the Courier-Post newspaper.
