Referee Makes Teen Wrestler Chop His Hair Off Minutes Before Match And Video Sparks Outrage

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Andrew Johnson, a 16-year-old on his New Jersey high school’s wrestling team, was gearing up for his big match when something very unexpected took place.

Just minutes before the match, the referee gave him a choice: either get rid of his dreadlocks or face disqualification.

Andrew was wearing a hair cover, but the referee insisted that wasn’t good enough. So, Andrew agreed to have his hair chopped off, right there in the gymnasium in front of everyone.

The teen’s demeanor instantly changed and he appeared visibly distraught.

WPVI reports: “Speziali said Maloney didn’t attend the weigh-in that day and that when Maloney evaluated the teen before the match, he didn’t raise any issues with the length of his hair or the need to wear a head covering.

“The scholastic wrestling rules clearly state that referees are to inspect wrestlers’ appearance and determine any rules violations prior to the start of the meet, typically during weigh-ins,” Speziali said. “The referee here was late to the meet and missed weigh-ins. When he did evaluate Andrew, he failed to raise any issues with the length of his hair or the need to wear a head covering.”

Despite the circumstances, Andrew won his match — but video showing his hair being cut went viral with millions of views. It has sparked a heated backlash against the referee. The state attorney general’s office started an investigation by the Division on Civil Rights and the school superintendent says it stands by its student athletes.

Many viewers agree — and the referee has been punished.

Source : https://www.littlethings.com/referee-teen-wrestler-hair/

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