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Family of wrestler forced to cut dreads won't seek legal action

New Jersey's athletic association said the referee would be suspended until the incident is reviewed.
Credit: @MikeFrankelSNJ/Twitter screenshot
A wrestling official in New Jersey is under fire for requiring a high schooler to cut his dreadlocks or forfeit his bout in a match.

An attorney for a New Jersey high school wrestler forced by a referee to cut his dreadlocks before a match to avoid a forfeit says the boy's family won't pursue legal action.

The Buena Regional school board held an emergency meeting Wednesday night.

The board said the Buena High School wrestling team won't compete in events officiated by referee Alan Maloney.

Wrestler Andrew Johnson had his dreadlocks cut minutes before the match Dec. 19.

Johnson, who is black, had a cover over his hair, but Maloney, who is white, said that wouldn't do. Maloney didn't respond to requests for comment.

New Jersey's athletic association said Saturday that Maloney won't be assigned to any matches until the incident is reviewed.

At Wednesday's packed meeting, the school's board said its investigation into the incident is ongoing.

The Press of Atlantic City reports Johnson's family didn't attend the meeting.

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