Football fans get chance to grill experts on match policing
Article published: Wednesday, February 29th 2012
Football fans of all clubs will get the chance to grill a panel of experts on match-related policing and stewarding issues at Manchester City’s Ethiad stadium tomorrow evening, Thursday March 1.
The event, Watching Football is Not a Crime, has been organised by the Football Supporters’ Federation (FSF) to allow fans to raise questions as to whether supporters are discriminated against by heavy-handed policing and stewarding.
Speakers include City’s head of safety and security Peter Fletcher, legal expert Dr Geoff Pearson of the University of Liverpool, and Chief Superintendent Mark Roberts of Greater Manchester Police (GMP). Also speaking will be Kieran Walsh, a solicitor whose past cases include the defence of Stoke fans after they were wrongfully targeted by GMP in 2008.
Stoke fans received £184,850 in compensation from GMP in 2010 after they were locked in an Irlam pub prior to a Manchester United game under Section 27 of the Violent Crime Reduction Act and later deprived of toilet facilities on their coach home.
Although the pub landlord vouched for the fans’ good behaviour, GMP said they had acted on “intelligence” and later offered compensation and a letter of apology from Assistant Chief Constable Ian Hopkins.
The event is part of a national roadshow organised by FSF and will begin at 7pm. Past questions raised at previous meetings include whether the use of Section 27 orders are excessive, if standing at games has caused tensions with stewards and queries as to why early kick-offs have been thrust on fans by police.
Richard Goulding
Fans of all clubs are welcome and tickets are free, though registration is required. See here for full details
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