It’s been brought to our attention that Swansea City fans were the subject of some heavy handed stewarding yesterday at the hawthorns. Footage from the game does show some questionable behaviour by the stewards when the swans scored their third goal. We’ve had a look and from our very blurred images taken at the game it seems there is some room for a deeper review.

There is also some better quality footage available which we can link to. And of course the club will have clear cctv images.

The actual footage from fans around the ground shows one Swansea City supporter celebrating at the front of the away section when he is grabbed and pushed by one steward seemingly on to pitch side. From there he is grabbed by a number of stewards and forcibly ejected from the ground.

Now, this is an occurrence which does require more investigation be that by West Bromwich Albion who ‘employ’ these people. Stewards have very limited training compared to the police service - and we saw yesterday these stewards placing hands on people who were celebrating a Swansea goal. In another piece of footage a supporter ‘seems’ to be pushed in the face whilst celebrating another goal.

We will bring this to the attention of the South Wales Police football liaison team in Swansea plus West Bromwich Albion as if this incident is being treated as a pitch encroachment then it could be this supporter has been charged with a criminal offence and could be facing a banning order. On this occasion that doesn’t seem right reviewing the circumstances.

However, it could well be the stewarding acted appropriately as to the circumstances but nothing is beyond review and transparency. We must never pull the trigger before things are clearer. Obviously the authorities can ignore this report but if that does happen then we will progress this further as it ‘could be’ certain actions of the stewards at this particular game requires more investigation. Fans of other clubs have had some poor experiences in the past at the hawthorns.

In April this year : Went to watch cardiff city play. For some reason which I am still not sure about was told that I could not take my flag into the game and would have to pick it up after the game, went with my children to pick up our flag , only to be told by at best incompetent stewards that they had lost the flag that they had promised me would be there after the game.Two of the stewards could not care less and just blanked us and walked away whilst the other two idiots could not offer any explanation on where our flag was , hopefully West bromich albion will get promoted so I will not have to go anywhere near this hell hole next year.

This isn’t an exercise in knocking what is a particularly difficult job and nobody wants to see people in trouble - but a standard of professionalism is required in any authoritative position that involves managing people.

Here’s another example : By the away end yes people get excited when we score a goal have a corner just like any other game. But at the hawthorns no standing If you do you get kicked out, got shoved around by a steward couldn’t see the game where I was sitting, complained 2 days ago and nothing back !

This is more disturbing : Been a supporter of this club for 45 years I go with my husband who is disabled and in a wheelchair because he was shouting at a player on the pitch he was told to shut up and calm down as he has a brain injury he can’t cope with confrontation we were surrounded by about 6 stewards who were being very intimidating to me and someone in a wheelchair we were thrown out and had our season tickets took of us when we complained they backed the stewards after all we are only a poor disabled fan and his carer who must be liars please take care.

Even when banning their own supporters there seems to be controversy.

One response from many : @cian_paris: Sort your stewards out @WBA. They were awful when I visited with my team a few years ago. Getting banned for that is just a joke.

There are many examples of good and bad match day experiences at the hawthorns and we have all seen similar instances at many other grounds in our life times. However, when certain aspects of looking after crowds of people are ‘potentially’ placed in question or the actions of individuals become difficult to explain then someone has to say something.

If you are that supporter who was ejected yesterday or had other experiences of note, both good or bad then contact us at Swansea.Independent1@gmail.com

Contact the Football Supporters Association here –> FSA

Complaints regards stewarding can be made here –>

Call: 0207 930 6693.
Email: info@sgsa.org.uk.
Write to: 10 South Colonnade, London, E14 4PU.
Twitter @SGSA_UK.

See the stewarding response to Swansea City goal celebrations here –> All Things Midlands

Photographs licensed from Reuters

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