FFS Stance on Banning Supporters

The Football Supporters Federation (FFS) chairman, Malcolm Clarke, has written the following article which appears in their latest newsletter.

We have recently become involved with a further couple of cases of supporters being banned by clubs in circumstances which give rise to concern. It is useful to re-iterate what our stance is on such cases.

The first principle is that clubs should not ban supporters for matters which do not involve misbehaviour inside the ground. Supporters’ criticisms about the way a club is run may or may not be justified, but the appropriate response is to reply to the criticisms and enter into dialogue, not ban the supporters who make them.

No-one should support libellous or unsubstantiated allegations being made in a public forum, but on the rare occasions when this occurs, a club or its officials have other appropriate legal mechanisms to deal with the matter.

There can be occasional problems, which are not confined to football, of such statements appearing on internet messages boards, which are a feature of the technological age and are here to stay. Providing that those who moderate the boards take action to remove offending posts when they are drawn to their attention, then normally it should not be necessary for a club to take further action.

One of the above cases involved severe banning action being taken against the moderator of a board because of a statement posted by someone else. This is an unjust and over the top response, which might also have the effect of driving such moderators into anonymity and/or boards closing down. Football clubs should realise that although there are a small number of problems, football, like the rest of society, needs to come to terms with the internet, and appreciate its value in promoting the game and its local clubs. After all, no club would like to have no-one talking about it.

Below is an insight into what the FSF is all about:

Whichever team or national side you support, from Bangor City to Brighton & Hove Albion, Carlisle to Cardiff City, Hereford United to Hartlepool, Norwich City to Newcastle United, Morcambe to Manchester United, Wales or England, the FSF is there for you. We provide services to and stand up for you, the match-going supporter.

Got a raw deal here or following your team abroad? The FSF is there for you, providing advice and assistance. Ripped off or treated badly here at home in England or Wales? The FSF wants to know. We'll try and help sort out any problems when they occur. More importantly, we work consistently behind the scenes with the football authorities, police and central and local government to try and prevent problems before they happen.

Of all football fans, those who travel regularly to away games have the most to moan about. Cost, the influence of television in changing kick-off times and days , poorly conceived ticket allocations, inconsistent stewarding and policing and transport problems mean that the lot of the away fan is often not a happy one. That's why the FSF has launched Playing Away, our campaign for a fair deal for away supporters.

As an FSF member, you'll have the inside track on this and other campaigns like How Was It For You? looking at policing and stewarding issues and Time For Fans to Have a Say, aimed at getting supporters a long overdue voice at Footbll's top tables.

But the FSF is not just about problems and gripes. We celebrate all that being a football fan means to the game's most passionate supporters. By joining the FSF you'll be eligible for big discounts on publications like the annual Sky Sports Football Handbook (formerly Rothman's). Buy this one service through the FSF and you'll already have saved more than your annual subscription.

Members receive a free subscription to The Football Supporter, published by the FSF, which sells for £2 a copy. Use the other services we're currently rolling out to members and you could be quids in.

The FSF is your best football mate. We stand up for supporters. We care about what you care about. 12 Months Individual Membership costs £15. More information from: www.fsf.org.uk

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