FA fine West Ham over Burnley
The Football Association have today released their long-awaited report into pitch invasions and crowd trouble at the London Stadium on 10th March 2018 when West Ham played Burnley.
In a statement, the FA say: “West Ham United FC has been fined £100,000 for failing to ensure that its spectators conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and that no spectators or unauthorised persons encroached onto the pitch during the Premier League match against Burnley FC on Saturday 10 March 2018. The club denied the charge, but it was subsequently found proven, and was sanctioned by an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing on Friday.
The full report can be found at http://www.thefa.com/football-rules-governance/discipline/written-reasons
The club in response has released a statement on WHUFC.com saying:
“The Club has done everything within its power to address the issues that occurred that day, despite having no control over match-day security operations – a point which is accepted and reflected in the FA’s findings.
“The FA acknowledged the unique set of circumstances under which we operate. The Club is ultimately held responsible for matchday security despite the fact that LS185 the Stadium operator, hold the safety certificate, and therefore along with Stadium landlord E20, control matchday operations.
“Since the events in March last year, the Club has worked with its landlord and operator to ensure issues must be acknowledged transparently and the criticism from the FA dealt with promptly. 19 recommended changes have been made, of which, 18 have been completed and the last one, which requires building works, is on-going. This, together with a number of significant changes in the match day operation, have resulted in no further serious incidents in the stadium.
“The Club has made it clear for some time we would like to have greater control over our matchdays. We have the experience, know-how and a track record of success to oversee matchday operations.
“It is now a matter of public record that our relationship with E20 and LS185 has improved and we are committed to working closely with all necessary agencies and authorities to ensure that safety and security measures are implemented to the highest standards. The safety and security of everyone inside our stadium is our absolute priority.”
Claret and Hugh Opinion:
The truth is, West Ham have only been fined because there is no legal way or mechanism to fine the French London Stadium operator LS185. The report clearly shows that it is the operator who shoulders the majority of the blame. Whether West Ham attempt to recover the fine from the operator remains to be seen but in light of the new relationship with the stadium owners and operators after settling their legal dispute they are likely to take it on the chin and move on.
Well along with troy deenys £20.000 that should keep the bar well stocked at FA quarters for a while.About time they say where this money goes along with the prove.just a bunch of old out dated idiots that run the game
So basically, it wasn’t our fault but someone’s gotta top up the FAs jollies fund. When will this useless gang of freeloaders drag themselves into the 21st century?
Glad to see the club making it clear who runs the stadium on matchdays. The stadium operators are an absolute joke, and the stadium is full of bullies and morons who want to make the matchday experience as bad as possible.
20 minute queues on bridges before the game, head to toe searches by security with metal detectors who insist certain people empty pockets for no reason, further searches upon entry to the stadium if the stewards fancy causing more hassle, stewards on bridges to the lower tiers demanding to see season tickets despite them already being used to gain entry to the ground, and bar staff who clearly don’t know how to pull pints, work out the correct change, or organise themselves before the half time/full time rushes.
I’ve grown to enjoy the stadium, and the atmosphere that we can create once we get going, but am sick to death of the stewards and staff within the ground. They don’t want us there, nor do they want to be there.