Football League washes hands over fan ban
Quite a few Burnley supporters were so angered by the decision to ban Burnley fans from our game at Millwall that they complained to the Football League. They were disappointed with the response they received. One of those was complained was our contributor
Whitto, whose correspondence is reproduced below.
Dear sir
Millwall v Burnley
I would like to register my disgust at the decision that has been made to deny Burnley supporters the opportunity of attending this fixture legally.
Time and time again Millwall supporters have transgressed and generally brought the game into disrepute, yet neither the League nor Millwall Football Club themselves are willing to do anything. It is obvious that the Football League are scared of the legal repercussions should they order the closure of the New Den and this is the reason that you continually press suspended sentences and threats of closure on the club without ever having the guts to carry them out. Surely as the governing body of the League you should now be ordering Millwall to either play the games away from home or behind closed doors. It is intolerable that by their thuggery they should gain an advantage by having only home support in the ground.
Now is the time to prove people wrong and outlaw what this travesty of a Football Club propose. It's time to show them who the boss is.
I await your comments with interest.
Brent Whittam
Which received this response...
Dear Mr Whittam
Thank you for your email dated 11th June in which you register your feelings on the decision to ban 'away' supporters from certain Millwall home fixtures.
The decision of course stems from the incidents encountered at the fixture between Millwall and Birmingham City. The problems occurred outside the stadium and the ferocious nature of the attacks on the police have been well documented in the press. Numerous police officers and many of their horses were seriously injured in the disorder which took place. The Metropolitan Police have been carrying out protracted investigations and, although a number of retrospective arrests have been made, investigations are continuing. It may be that some of those involved were not present at the match itself. The magnitude and nature of the offences committed were so serious that a very senior officer of the Metropolitan Police called a meeting with the club Chairman in order to formulate a plan which would help to ensure his officers were not faced with a similar situation again. It must be emphasised that the disorder took place in streets away from the ground itself in areas where the club has no jurisdiction.
One of the conditions demanded by the police was that in order to normalise the situation next season certain clubs should not be allowed to bring their supporters to Millwall. The Chairman of Millwall has consulted the clubs concerned and arrangements will be reciprocated at the relevant 'away' fixtures. In accordance with Safety Certificates, the police are in a position to make demands on clubs in the interests of public order. If a club refuses to meet their demands then the withdrawal of policing will mean that the fixture cannot be played.
The Football League Security Advisor was present at the Millwall v Birmingham City match and has been liasing with the club and the Metropolitan Police. He and his counterpart at The Football Association will be meeting with the relevant agencies before next season to ensure that, wherever possible, problems are resolved. Millwall Football Club has worked hard in their efforts to remove their hooligan element - linking in with both the police and the local community. I can assure you that The Football League and The Football Association will be working with the club and the police to do all that is necessary to assist the police in maintaining order outside the ground. I understand the strength of your feelings but these issues are complex and, in situations of this nature, the requirements of the police take precedence.
Thank you for contacting The Football League.
Patricia Brown
Customer Services
The Football League Limited
This letter is identical to that received by a number of other Burnley supporters who complained. It does not address the specific points Brent raised, and seems to focus only on the Millwall v Birmingham game, in which it goes without saying that Burnley supporters were hardly involved. I also love that euphemism ‘normalise the situation’. How is it normal that we have all been banned from a football match next season, exactly? Still, we have it there in black and white that ‘the requirements of the police take precedence’. And there was me thinking they might be there to serve us!
Whitto replied as follows.
Thank you for the reply, which as I expected is a total cop out. You at no time explain what trouble at a Millwall v Birmingham fixture has to do with Burnley! This is yet another example of the League being unwilling to tackle its’ clubs. With leadership like this it’s no wonder clubs are going to the wall because of the ITV digital fiasco. It is pretty obvious to me that you have absolutely no control over football anymore. Roll on Premiership Two.
Brent Whittam.
PS. I also realise that this is a standardised letter sent out to everyone I know who has complained. Did we all make exactly the same points then? And if so, why haven't you answered any of them?
Their reply...
Thank you for your further communication. Although you have received an honest reply based on the information available, you are of course fully entitled to your opinion. It was the trouble at the Millwall v Birmingham City match that caused this action to be taken. Is it not possible that the Metropolitan Police may have experienced trouble with Burnley supporters?
There is nothing further I can add.
Patricia Brown
Look at that line, ‘Is it not possible that the Metropolitan Police may have experienced trouble with Burnley supporters?’ What a desperate argumentative leap. So is that why we’re being banned, then? If so, it’s news to us!
Whitto followed up...
It is possible that the Metropolitan Police have had trouble with Burnley fans, as I'm sure that they have had trouble with the vast majority of clubs’ supporters, each of which has its minority of idiots. The main question comes down to the fact that for years the good old Football League have swept the 'Millwall question' under the carpet, being unwilling to actually do something constructive instead of constantly slapping their poor little paws every five minutes and saying ‘don't do it again’. Don't you people and the police realise that this is going to cause untold trouble? Probably much more trouble than there would ever be at an ordinary fixture. People are already applying for their Millwall membership, just so they can go to the match. These people will therefore be watching this match from the home areas, therefore causing the potential for trouble to increase dramatically. Sadly, the League as per usual doesn't want to know and merely sticks its’ head in the sand. What are you going to do when you get more trouble at these six fixtures? Blame the opposition? Because it is blatantly obvious that you daren't blame Millwall - the real culprits. You are the governing body of this dying League and as such should take action against clubs that cannot keep their houses in order.
Brent Whittam
Their reply...
Thank you for your further communication.
To clarify, disciplinary action regarding crowd disorder falls under the jurisdiction of The Football Association, not the Football League.
I will ensure that your comments are passed to our Safety and Security Advisor and, as there is nothing further I can add, this brings our communication to a close.
Patricia Brown
Which sounds like the end. It’s sad to see that the Football League are prepared to compromise the integrity of their competition by letting a number of fixtures take place in which both sets of supporters cannot support their team. Ultimately, while the police do hold many cards, these matches take place within the League’s competition, and they should be taking the lead. There are rules about minimum away support in the FA Cup, and there should be rules in the League too. The League seem happy to urge supporters to get involved in their campaign against ITV, but in washing their hands over this matter, they demonstrate that they’re only interested when they can use us for something. Their concern for supporters is, at best, skin deep.
June 2002
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