Andrew Johnson decided to cut his hair after being given an ultimatum by a coach on December 19. His family members have chosen not to pursue any legal action regarding the events that transpired before the wrestling match. The Buena regional school board conducted an emergency meeting on a Wednesday evening. They announced that the wrestling team will not participate in any events officiated by Alan Maloney, the referee.
Reports indicate that a wrestler from Buena High School in Atlantic County was instructed by a referee, known for racist behavior, to cut his long hair or face disqualification during the match against Oakcrest on Thursday. Andrew Johnson, the young wrestler, decided to comply with the referee’s demand. Allegations of bias and racism against the referee have surfaced on social media, citing an incident from March 2016 where Alan Maloney used a racial slur in an official gathering.
Maloney, a white official, has a history of controversies, including incidents at events in Wildwood and the Jersey Shore. Preston Hamilton, a colored official, publicly criticized Maloney for his actions. A video of the incident was shared on Twitter by Mike Frankel from SNJ Today News, fueling outrage on social media and leading to calls for disciplinary action against the referee for his alleged racist behavior.
The incident has sparked widespread criticism and demands for accountability regarding why Johnson was singled out to cut his hair when other long-haired wrestlers were not subjected to the same requirement for participating in the tournament. As per the rules of the National Association of State High School Associations, wrestlers are generally permitted to wear legal hair coverings during matches.
