' Brighton v Palace possible problems '
Thu May 02, 2013 7:51 pm
If these two meet in the playoffs the police will put special arrangements into place....some very restrictive conditions will be enforced on the fans.
http://www.standamf.com/2013/05/02/watc ... s-a-crime/
Watching Football IS a crime
Brighton supporter @SwSpTacchinardi has written this piece on the draconian measures that both Brighton and Crystal Palace fans will have to face should their sides meet in the play-offs. Is this a shape of things to come for supporters of all clubs?…
Unless Crystal Palace make a massive mess of things this weekend, the Eagles will welcome their south coast rival Brighton & Hove Albion to Selhurst a week on Friday for the first leg of a play off battle royale.
Brighton have already secured fourth spot in the Championship while, despite hitting a miserable run of form, Palace are still favourites to finish fifth. The two clubs share a rivalry which most of football doesn’t understand – but rest assured, the hatred it real. Very real. One journalist experiencing the match for the first time described a venom “not oft seen outside the Balkans.”
And it is a rivalry which looks likely to be broadcast into the homes of Sky subscribers up and down the country. Which is just as well, because it looks like the supporters of both clubs are going to have a tough time making it to the actual games.
Despite both league games between the sides passing relatively trouble free, the police and clubs have seen fit to reduce the away allocations during both legs of the potential play off clash.
Whereas around 2,800 Eagles and Seagulls made the trek to enemy turf in the league, just 2,000 will be allowed to travel if the sides meet in the post season mix up.
And those that do will have to adhere to some draconian conditions or face year-long bans.
Brighton & Hove Albion this morning announced ticket details for the forthcoming play off away let, complete with a list of rules which will be enforced if the Albion meet Palace. They read like something Orwell might have dreamt up as some sort of parody of the future facing football fans. 1984 All Over Again, or something like that. He’d have been better with titles.
According to the Albion any of the season ticket holders – and it will only be season ticket holders allowed to go – buying a ticket will have to agree to:
- Their details and seat number being made available to the Metropolitan Police and Sussex Police.
- Carry some form of ID which confirms who they are.
- Be happy to hand over that ID along with their match ticket to any police officer or steward at the stadium or travelling to and from the match.
Failing to do follow any of the above rules will result in supporters being denied entry to the match in question and all other matches this season – presumably including a potential play off final.
Anyone found passing their ticket onto someone else will be banned for one year – as will the person found using the ticket. So, if you are ill or can’t go, better not let another fan make use of your ticket – even if they are a family member of fellow season ticket holder. And even if they are happy to comply with all the above.
The two sets of fans do have a history of violence. In recent seasons supporters have clashed off the pitch even when their clubs were not meeting on it. Dawn raids preceded the Albion’s visit to Selhurst earlier this season, while special arrangements were in place for Palace’s trip to The Amex.
Nobody would deny that an element of both sets of fans use the fixture as an excuse to go toe to toe. But is this approach really warranted?
The last time the two clubs met – when Brighton ran out 3v0 winners at The Amex in March – the police were full of praise for the fans and their behaviour.
Despite the match attracting a crowd of more than 28,000 police made just five arrests throughout the day – three at the stadium and two on public transport.
Chief inspector Paul Betters, who helped lead the policing that day, was quoted in the local press as saying, “I should like to thank supporters from both sides who heeded appeals from the clubs, supporters’ groups and the police to enjoy the game in a spirit of rivalry, not violence.”
So why the extra measures this time round? According to the Sussex Police’s football liaison officer, Darren Balkham, the added significance of the potential meeting warranted additional conditions – conditions which were agreed by both clubs and both sets of police. He also told fans on Twitter that the approach reflected “some issues” experienced at Selhurst earlier this season.
He may well have been referring to an incident which saw Brighton fans force a locked gate open in the concourse area, which saw punches traded by both sides. Other than that – an incident which involved a small number of fans and last seconds and resulted in no serious injuries – there has not exactly been much to report.
On the last two visits to Selhurst Park, Brighton fans have found themselves kettled together outside the away stand for anything up to an hour – forbidden from making their own way to one of the local stations, or, in some cases, from even returning to their cars parked locally.
A short ten minute walk to catch the train back to Brighton has been derailed by heavy-handed police tactics with the MET seemingly treated all fans as potential hooligans. Last season police even erected a giant metal wall across an entire road in order to keep rival fans apart when leaving the game. This wall, it later emerged, is designed to stop people wandering from an area infected by a dirty bomb or chemical spill. Palace fans leaving Selhurst may often resemble Walking Dead-style zombies, but is a Belfast Troubles era wall really necessary?
That approach was laughable. This latest tactic infringes far more on the rights of individual fans.
And it isn’t just the Albion supporters who are angry.
A spokesman for the Crystal Palace fanzine Five Year Plan was equally appalled at the prospect of the Eagles suffering similar in the potential return leg in Brighton.
James Daly said, “Yet again it looks like the authorities like the MET are out of touch with the modern football fan.
“It seems like they think it is the 1980s and all football fans go to games with the intent of causing trouble. I’ve been watching Palace regularly since 1998 and I’ve not seen ONE fight.
“Police officers have been quoted in court as saying football days “mean trouble”. This is so archaic a view to have towards matches.
“The idea of producing ID cards smells of Thatcher and is a depressing hark back to the days when no-one trusted football fans.
“In fact, the Met Police praised the actions of both Palace and Brighton fans after the recent game at the Amex in May, and this is how we are rewarded?
“It stinks and it’s unfair to the 99% of football fans who are law-abiding and just want to watch their team play in peace.
“I really hope the authorities see sense and relax these rules because they could cause more trouble than they were hoping to prevent.”
There appears to have been no consultation with supporters. Speaking in The Argus paper in Brighton today, PC Balkham – generally well liked by Albion fans and someone who does regularly interact with supporters over policing issues – said Sussex Police had been left with little time no organise the play offs. Fans are perhaps justified in thinking a little foresight and consultation may have prevented such stringent rules being put in place.
And of course there is the possibility the two sides could meet in the final, rather than semis. Both sets of police may well have a job explaining how they could only allow 2,000 away fans complete with ID two weeks before 90,000 fans make their way to Wembley for the same fixture.
Talking about possible travel problems, PC Balkham was quoted as saying, “Football fans are very hardy and regardless of what Sky Sports of the Football League throw at them, they will get there. If there’s no trains, coaches or cars, fans would walk to Crystal Palace regardless.”
Presumably thought they will only be welcome if they are carrying ID and have a note from their mum promising they will behave.
As one Brighton fan said on Twitter, “I would take my lawyer with me, but he doesn’t have enough loyalty points to get a ticket.”
http://www.standamf.com/2013/05/02/watc ... s-a-crime/
Watching Football IS a crime
Brighton supporter @SwSpTacchinardi has written this piece on the draconian measures that both Brighton and Crystal Palace fans will have to face should their sides meet in the play-offs. Is this a shape of things to come for supporters of all clubs?…
Unless Crystal Palace make a massive mess of things this weekend, the Eagles will welcome their south coast rival Brighton & Hove Albion to Selhurst a week on Friday for the first leg of a play off battle royale.
Brighton have already secured fourth spot in the Championship while, despite hitting a miserable run of form, Palace are still favourites to finish fifth. The two clubs share a rivalry which most of football doesn’t understand – but rest assured, the hatred it real. Very real. One journalist experiencing the match for the first time described a venom “not oft seen outside the Balkans.”
And it is a rivalry which looks likely to be broadcast into the homes of Sky subscribers up and down the country. Which is just as well, because it looks like the supporters of both clubs are going to have a tough time making it to the actual games.
Despite both league games between the sides passing relatively trouble free, the police and clubs have seen fit to reduce the away allocations during both legs of the potential play off clash.
Whereas around 2,800 Eagles and Seagulls made the trek to enemy turf in the league, just 2,000 will be allowed to travel if the sides meet in the post season mix up.
And those that do will have to adhere to some draconian conditions or face year-long bans.
Brighton & Hove Albion this morning announced ticket details for the forthcoming play off away let, complete with a list of rules which will be enforced if the Albion meet Palace. They read like something Orwell might have dreamt up as some sort of parody of the future facing football fans. 1984 All Over Again, or something like that. He’d have been better with titles.
According to the Albion any of the season ticket holders – and it will only be season ticket holders allowed to go – buying a ticket will have to agree to:
- Their details and seat number being made available to the Metropolitan Police and Sussex Police.
- Carry some form of ID which confirms who they are.
- Be happy to hand over that ID along with their match ticket to any police officer or steward at the stadium or travelling to and from the match.
Failing to do follow any of the above rules will result in supporters being denied entry to the match in question and all other matches this season – presumably including a potential play off final.
Anyone found passing their ticket onto someone else will be banned for one year – as will the person found using the ticket. So, if you are ill or can’t go, better not let another fan make use of your ticket – even if they are a family member of fellow season ticket holder. And even if they are happy to comply with all the above.
The two sets of fans do have a history of violence. In recent seasons supporters have clashed off the pitch even when their clubs were not meeting on it. Dawn raids preceded the Albion’s visit to Selhurst earlier this season, while special arrangements were in place for Palace’s trip to The Amex.
Nobody would deny that an element of both sets of fans use the fixture as an excuse to go toe to toe. But is this approach really warranted?
The last time the two clubs met – when Brighton ran out 3v0 winners at The Amex in March – the police were full of praise for the fans and their behaviour.
Despite the match attracting a crowd of more than 28,000 police made just five arrests throughout the day – three at the stadium and two on public transport.
Chief inspector Paul Betters, who helped lead the policing that day, was quoted in the local press as saying, “I should like to thank supporters from both sides who heeded appeals from the clubs, supporters’ groups and the police to enjoy the game in a spirit of rivalry, not violence.”
So why the extra measures this time round? According to the Sussex Police’s football liaison officer, Darren Balkham, the added significance of the potential meeting warranted additional conditions – conditions which were agreed by both clubs and both sets of police. He also told fans on Twitter that the approach reflected “some issues” experienced at Selhurst earlier this season.
He may well have been referring to an incident which saw Brighton fans force a locked gate open in the concourse area, which saw punches traded by both sides. Other than that – an incident which involved a small number of fans and last seconds and resulted in no serious injuries – there has not exactly been much to report.
On the last two visits to Selhurst Park, Brighton fans have found themselves kettled together outside the away stand for anything up to an hour – forbidden from making their own way to one of the local stations, or, in some cases, from even returning to their cars parked locally.
A short ten minute walk to catch the train back to Brighton has been derailed by heavy-handed police tactics with the MET seemingly treated all fans as potential hooligans. Last season police even erected a giant metal wall across an entire road in order to keep rival fans apart when leaving the game. This wall, it later emerged, is designed to stop people wandering from an area infected by a dirty bomb or chemical spill. Palace fans leaving Selhurst may often resemble Walking Dead-style zombies, but is a Belfast Troubles era wall really necessary?
That approach was laughable. This latest tactic infringes far more on the rights of individual fans.
And it isn’t just the Albion supporters who are angry.
A spokesman for the Crystal Palace fanzine Five Year Plan was equally appalled at the prospect of the Eagles suffering similar in the potential return leg in Brighton.
James Daly said, “Yet again it looks like the authorities like the MET are out of touch with the modern football fan.
“It seems like they think it is the 1980s and all football fans go to games with the intent of causing trouble. I’ve been watching Palace regularly since 1998 and I’ve not seen ONE fight.
“Police officers have been quoted in court as saying football days “mean trouble”. This is so archaic a view to have towards matches.
“The idea of producing ID cards smells of Thatcher and is a depressing hark back to the days when no-one trusted football fans.
“In fact, the Met Police praised the actions of both Palace and Brighton fans after the recent game at the Amex in May, and this is how we are rewarded?
“It stinks and it’s unfair to the 99% of football fans who are law-abiding and just want to watch their team play in peace.
“I really hope the authorities see sense and relax these rules because they could cause more trouble than they were hoping to prevent.”
There appears to have been no consultation with supporters. Speaking in The Argus paper in Brighton today, PC Balkham – generally well liked by Albion fans and someone who does regularly interact with supporters over policing issues – said Sussex Police had been left with little time no organise the play offs. Fans are perhaps justified in thinking a little foresight and consultation may have prevented such stringent rules being put in place.
And of course there is the possibility the two sides could meet in the final, rather than semis. Both sets of police may well have a job explaining how they could only allow 2,000 away fans complete with ID two weeks before 90,000 fans make their way to Wembley for the same fixture.
Talking about possible travel problems, PC Balkham was quoted as saying, “Football fans are very hardy and regardless of what Sky Sports of the Football League throw at them, they will get there. If there’s no trains, coaches or cars, fans would walk to Crystal Palace regardless.”
Presumably thought they will only be welcome if they are carrying ID and have a note from their mum promising they will behave.
As one Brighton fan said on Twitter, “I would take my lawyer with me, but he doesn’t have enough loyalty points to get a ticket.”
Re: Brighton v Palace possible problems
Thu May 02, 2013 8:00 pm
Thats a disgrace.
Re: Brighton v Palace possible problems
Thu May 02, 2013 8:03 pm
corky wrote:If these two meet in the playoffs the police will put special arrangements into place....some very restrictive conditions will be enforced on the fans.
http://www.standamf.com/2013/05/02/watc ... s-a-crime/
Ridiculous.
Re: Brighton v Palace possible problems
Thu May 02, 2013 8:32 pm
These conditions are completly over the top. Surely some of these matters must infringe on civil liberties. Its no wonder some fans have a low opinion on the authorities when they start applying these type of things. Cpfc and Bhafc should be standing up for their supporters. They should not have to be treated like this because a few idiots cant behave for a few hours.
Re: ' Brighton v Palace possible problems '
Thu May 02, 2013 9:43 pm
police again, just in for an easy shift
Re: ' Brighton v Palace possible problems '
Thu May 02, 2013 10:11 pm
Might as well be done with any privacy / civil liberties and have an ID chip injected into every football fan (or knowing the Govt, anyone who also knows a football fan just in case), be made to wear an unremovable camera strapped to their foreheads and be handcuffed to each other for the duration of the game
What was that saying from those who can't see what's wrong with such draconian measures?? If you haven't got anything to hide, what's to worry about........
What was that saying from those who can't see what's wrong with such draconian measures?? If you haven't got anything to hide, what's to worry about........