Brighton & Hove Albion have issued the following statement following a number of high profile incidents of totally unacceptable behaviour by a small minority of people attending football matches in our country, incidents that are shaming our sport.
Sadly, our club is not immune from such behaviour. At the Amex, the number of home and visiting fan ejections and arrests for so-called “hate crimes” in the past one and a half seasons is, albeit from a very low base, already double the total of the previous three seasons added together.
Relative to the number of people attending games across the country, incidents both here and elsewhere involve a tiny minority of mindless individuals. Nonetheless, it appears that a worrying trend is developing – and we wish to play our part to stop this trend in its tracks.
As we head towards 2019, it’s disturbing that some people seem to think it’s acceptable to behave in an anti-social manner at football matches. Racism, homophobia, anti-Semitism, discrimination and violence have no place in society, let alone in a football stadium.
The men, women, children and families watching football, many of whom have been attracted back to our sport by safer and better stadia, do so to support their team and to enjoy a great day out with other fans. They have every right to expect to do so safely and peacefully.
Players, coaches and staff from our club, those from any visiting club and match officials, should have exactly the same right to go about their professional work in a safe, secure and peaceful stadium environment – and without threat from rival fans however important or tense the match may be.
Through our safety and security staff, police officers, and the use of the latest technology to support them, we will do all we can to uphold these rights for everyone attending and participating in matches at the Amex. We will not tolerate the kind of behaviour we have seen and heard about in recent weeks.
If you witness an incident at the Amex, or wish to complain about extreme and unwelcome anti-social behaviour by another supporter, please alert a nearby steward or text details of your location, descriptions of individuals, and nature of the issue to: 07880 196 442. We will take action.
Our stadium and ticketing bans for any offence involving hate crimes and/or violence towards players, staff, officials or other supporters are for an indefinite period, with the earliest possible review only considered after five years. We will also seek criminal prosecutions in all cases.
We want the Amex to be a safe and non-discriminatory environment for everyone. We want fans to watch and enjoy top level football in a noisy, passionate but positive atmosphere. To be clear, anyone not sharing our objectives should stay away. You are not welcome at the Amex.
Relative to the number of people attending games across the country, incidents both here and elsewhere involve a tiny minority of mindless individuals. Nonetheless, it appears that a worrying trend is developing – and we wish to play our part to stop this trend in its tracks.
As we head towards 2019, it’s disturbing that some people seem to think it’s acceptable to behave in an anti-social manner at football matches. Racism, homophobia, anti-Semitism, discrimination and violence have no place in society, let alone in a football stadium.
The men, women, children and families watching football, many of whom have been attracted back to our sport by safer and better stadia, do so to support their team and to enjoy a great day out with other fans. They have every right to expect to do so safely and peacefully.
Players, coaches and staff from our club, those from any visiting club and match officials, should have exactly the same right to go about their professional work in a safe, secure and peaceful stadium environment – and without threat from rival fans however important or tense the match may be.
Through our safety and security staff, police officers, and the use of the latest technology to support them, we will do all we can to uphold these rights for everyone attending and participating in matches at the Amex. We will not tolerate the kind of behaviour we have seen and heard about in recent weeks.
If you witness an incident at the Amex, or wish to complain about extreme and unwelcome anti-social behaviour by another supporter, please alert a nearby steward or text details of your location, descriptions of individuals, and nature of the issue to: 07880 196 442. We will take action.
Our stadium and ticketing bans for any offence involving hate crimes and/or violence towards players, staff, officials or other supporters are for an indefinite period, with the earliest possible review only considered after five years. We will also seek criminal prosecutions in all cases.
We want the Amex to be a safe and non-discriminatory environment for everyone. We want fans to watch and enjoy top level football in a noisy, passionate but positive atmosphere. To be clear, anyone not sharing our objectives should stay away. You are not welcome at the Amex.