Lime Tree Heros Posted August 24, 2022 Share Posted August 24, 2022 Last night there was a pitch invasion by Crawley fans following their victory over Fulham in the League Cup. In light of the EFL's new rules about spectators invading the pitch it'll be interesting to see how this one pans out... https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62661769 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kopparberg Posted August 24, 2022 Share Posted August 24, 2022 I guess they must be seen to be doing something, and really do want to it appears. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BridportOwl Posted August 24, 2022 Share Posted August 24, 2022 IMO needs clamping down on. I understand that it was a joyous night for Crawley, but after the incidents at the end of last season you just can't have people pouring onto the pitch at the end of matches. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lime Tree Heros Posted August 24, 2022 Author Share Posted August 24, 2022 6 minutes ago, BridportOwl said: IMO needs clamping down on. I understand that it was a joyous night for Crawley, but after the incidents at the end of last season you just can't have people pouring onto the pitch at the end of matches. I agree. But the new rules seem pretty rigid - identified as a pitch invader = prosecuted and automatic club ban. But in this instance I just can't see all those fans getting banned and if not all, is it fair to just pick one or two? Think it's all a bit of a mess. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kopparberg Posted August 24, 2022 Share Posted August 24, 2022 Unless they look the ban the first few onto the pitch, then can Crawley afford to lose 1000+ fans ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maddogbob Posted August 24, 2022 Share Posted August 24, 2022 In theroy they should all be banned. However the EFL have kinda backed themselves into a corner in this one. Best guess, it'll be ignored. Or a small club fine. They won't want to cost Crawley all those paying fans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TommyCraig Posted August 24, 2022 Share Posted August 24, 2022 Am I missing something here? The games ended, it's a famous victory for them. Fans on pitch after the game celebrating is a tradition for massive wins or achievements. During the game is a different matter and should be dealt with accordingly. As should anyone who throws things at players, but common sense must prevail here. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Night King Posted August 24, 2022 Share Posted August 24, 2022 Next EFL game should be played behind closed doors. That would soon put an end to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lime Tree Heros Posted August 24, 2022 Author Share Posted August 24, 2022 9 minutes ago, Night King said: Next EFL game should be played behind closed doors. That would soon put an end to it. To me that would be a viable and sensible option. But it would require the EFL to go back on their new rules introduced this summer... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirksandallowl Posted August 24, 2022 Share Posted August 24, 2022 22 minutes ago, Night King said: Next EFL game should be played behind closed doors. That would soon put an end to it. Most of those on the pitch won’t be planning on going to the next game anyway 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest oneAtkinson Posted August 25, 2022 Share Posted August 25, 2022 Creepy Crawlies, nothing more Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChapSmurf Posted August 25, 2022 Share Posted August 25, 2022 I saw this on Sky the night of the match. As @Lime Tree Heros said, it's a bit of a mess. I can't see all the Crawley fans being banned. That would really really hurt Crawley financially. And yet the EFL have put new measures in place, so if they don't act, they will be seen as weaker than they already are. Personally, I would fine Crawley, and give them a points deduction (as this is an EFL cup competition, that might not be legally possible). Both suspended. If any evidence of fans not enjoying the occasion on the pitch in a respectful manner came to light, i.e. attacking or goading of the opposition players, I would give them 12 month bans, which should limit the financial impact to the club yet send out a message. I'm not sure what else can be done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skyline Posted August 25, 2022 Share Posted August 25, 2022 2 hours ago, ChapSmurf said: I saw this on Sky the night of the match. As @Lime Tree Heros said, it's a bit of a mess. I can't see all the Crawley fans being banned. That would really really hurt Crawley financially. And yet the EFL have put new measures in place, so if they don't act, they will be seen as weaker than they already are. Personally, I would fine Crawley, and give them a points deduction (as this is an EFL cup competition, that might not be legally possible). Both suspended. If any evidence of fans not enjoying the occasion on the pitch in a respectful manner came to light, i.e. attacking or goading of the opposition players, I would give them 12 month bans, which should limit the financial impact to the club yet send out a message. I'm not sure what else can be done. Points deduction seems harsh. A club can literally do nothing to stop fans getting on the pitch, other than to install fencing. You can increase security and make it harder, but if fans really want to get n the pith, they'll get on. How can 20 stewards stop 200 people trying to get access? They'd struggle 200 v 200 to stop them all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheEnchanter Posted August 25, 2022 Share Posted August 25, 2022 If wednesday get promoted at Hillsborough everyone will be on the pitch like in 2012. Great memories what football is all about. One day it'll be seat belts and silence but until then the last bastions of passion and spontaneous joy exist. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChapSmurf Posted August 25, 2022 Share Posted August 25, 2022 (edited) 1 hour ago, Skyline said: Points deduction seems harsh. A club can literally do nothing to stop fans getting on the pitch, other than to install fencing. You can increase security and make it harder, but if fans really want to get n the pith, they'll get on. How can 20 stewards stop 200 people trying to get access? They'd struggle 200 v 200 to stop them all. A points deduction might not even be possible, but I did suggest suspended. It is a harsh penalty, but maybe it will show others that this will not be tolerated. It was just suggesting a way of laying down the law without impacting the club at this stage. I did originally write in my post, and then delete, that no club can afford to employ 1,000 stewards or police for matches, but you've echoed that statement yourself. Bar fencing, which we know all too well can cause other issues, what is a club supposed to do? Yet, who do the EFL crack down on? It's easier for the EFL to get one club in order than 100s/1000s of its fans. It's a tough one. Edited August 25, 2022 by ChapSmurf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skyline Posted August 25, 2022 Share Posted August 25, 2022 26 minutes ago, ChapSmurf said: A points deduction might not even be possible, but I did suggest suspended. It is a harsh penalty, but maybe it will show others that this will not be tolerated. It was just suggesting a way of laying down the law without impacting the club at this stage. I did originally write in my post, and then delete, that no club can afford to employ 1,000 stewards or police for matches, but you've echoed that statement yourself. Bar fencing, which we know all too well can cause other issues, what is a club supposed to do? Yet, who do the EFL crack down on? It's easier for the EFL to get one club in order than 100s/1000s of its fans. It's a tough one. I totally agree they need to do something to crack down on it. But it is tough to decide how/what. Either way, the club is going to be impacted. Be it financial or points deduction. Clubs should have rules to follow and proof they did to try and stop it. The minority can really spoil it for the majority. And let be honest, the minority will start the invasion and the rest follow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChapSmurf Posted August 25, 2022 Share Posted August 25, 2022 2 minutes ago, Skyline said: I totally agree they need to do something to crack down on it. But it is tough to decide how/what. Either way, the club is going to be impacted. Be it financial or points deduction. Clubs should have rules to follow and proof they did to try and stop it. The minority can really spoil it for the majority. And let be honest, the minority will start the invasion and the rest follow. It's very tough. Without wanting to pick out Crawley, an example must be made now. It has to impact the fans too, to either stop them in their tracks, or to polarise those who are opposed to pitch invasions and those that aren't. Maybe the former can get through to the latter. It is a herd mentallity though. Fortunately the vast majority just want to celebrate, cause no harm and be tribal. But that does still put players, officials and staff in a potentially dangerous situation, whilst surrounded by emotionally hyped-up supporters. We've all read about people getting killed at big religious festivals around the world, due to a stampede. It would only take one person to fall and others to follow to cause something catastrophic during a pitch invasion, under the wrong circumstances. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quickly Kevin Posted August 25, 2022 Share Posted August 25, 2022 1 hour ago, TheEnchanter said: If wednesday get promoted at Hillsborough everyone will be on the pitch like in 2012. Great memories what football is all about. One day it'll be seat belts and silence but until then the last bastions of passion and spontaneous joy exist. Morons have ruined it unfortunately and a strict stance is needed. The fact is a pitch invasion can lead to players getting attacked or stuff getting trashed. Player safety has to come first. You don't need to be on the pitch with a smartphone to celebrate with spontaneous joy. You can do that in the stands. The seatbelts and silence remark shows you up a bit though. Grow up ffs. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HighworthOwl Posted August 25, 2022 Share Posted August 25, 2022 1 hour ago, TheEnchanter said: If wednesday get promoted at Hillsborough everyone will be on the pitch like in 2012. Great memories what football is all about. One day it'll be seat belts and silence but until then the last bastions of passion and spontaneous joy exist. Did you see this? I'm a short bloke and yes it can be frustrating but they are sucking the life from the game. Burnley banned a couple of fans for "persistent standing" seems a bit OTT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheEnchanter Posted August 25, 2022 Share Posted August 25, 2022 58 minutes ago, Quickly Kevin said: Morons have ruined it unfortunately and a strict stance is needed. The fact is a pitch invasion can lead to players getting attacked or stuff getting trashed. Player safety has to come first. You don't need to be on the pitch with a smartphone to celebrate with spontaneous joy. You can do that in the stands. The seatbelts and silence remark shows you up a bit though. Grow up ffs. I'm completely comfortable with being shown up a bit. You're taking me completely literally. It's a throwaway remark at the fact that football is becoming increasingly sanitised in the stands for better or for worse. It's worth a debate, there are still plenty of people around that want to improve the atmosphere. Safe standing, standing sections but the continual response is 'grow up'. Ok, the pitch invasions are a seperate matter but for me it's something iconic and synonymous with partizan football atmospheres at the end of the season or for a big cup win. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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