Shooting Star
Well-known member
Put it into perspective old chap! A celebratory proclamation of a once in a lifetime promotion is totally different to some knob running onto to the pitch to either antagonise opposition fans or lump an opposing player or being a complete ‘look at me tw*t’. Any of those committed and he deserves everything that comes to him.
But that's exactly what the poster you quoted is pointing out - under these new rules, even the "once in a lifetime promotion" pitch invaders risk getting banned.
I personally think this situation has been influenced by a) those 'look at me tw*t' idiots who assaulted players and b) media hype. The former occassioned the latter, to a point where the media have made us believe that these pitch invasions are becoming an increasing occurrence. Have they really increased? Ever since I've been going to football (1997) there have been pitch invasions throughout all the leagues (less so in the Prem) for promotion, relegation survival, even by those who were relegated and for playoff semi-final winners. Where has the increase been? I really don't think there has.
What there has potentially been an increase in is offences committed during pitch invasions, which this new law seems to tackle. Is it enforceable if a couple of thousand fans invade the pitch? It's yet to be seen. If it isn't, then it's no different to the pitch invader of five years ago who would have been banned for running on the pitch solo. That's always been the pitch invasion gamble - if no one joins in you get banned, but if 2000 join you you're fine. If it is enforceable, then fair enough, but yet again it's the tiny minority of idiots spoiling the joy for the majority. Would the Wigan promotion scenes have been nearly as special if there hadn't been an invasion, causing the players to celebrate in the boxes? I think not.