Thanks Mr Barber for responding within 30 minutes of my email this morning, he is nothing if not focused on the fans.
May also debunk some of the myths being shared on this forum last night.
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Dear XXXX,
Thank you for your email.
I’m sorry to hear your evening was spoiled by the mindless behaviour of a small number of Crystal Palace fans letting off some small flares and fireworks. I will however address each of your points in turn - and also correct a number of misperceptions:
Unfortunately, the type of flares let off last night are absolutely tiny and virtually impossible to detect without a full body search of every supporter which I’m afraid is neither practical nor possible - and isn’t at any football stadium in the country.
We were well aware of the likelihood of some Crystal Palace fans bringing flares to the stadium and we deployed pyrotechnic dogs, as well as additional turnstile stewards (from both clubs). However, such is the nature of the devices not all will be detected.
The flares are dropped on to the ground. Short of standing next to the person, there is very little chance for stewards or police to identify the culprits. Where individuals are identified, they are removed from the stadium discreetly to avoid disorder.
With regard to delays leaving the stadium, the first point to make is that the club does not control parking at Virgin Active. Neither does the club have 50 places in its directors’ car park so I can assure you that 50 cars at a time were not leaving this area.
Our priority after this match was to move as many supporters away from the stadium as quickly as possible - by train and by buses. This meant ALL traffic was held - as is usual - until this operation was as complete as possible. This was to ensure safe egress for as many people as possible.
I’m afraid that delays leaving football matches, particularly by car, are a fact of life. Some people leaving Old Trafford took 2 hours leaving the car park areas last Saturday. Moving nearly 30,000 from a confined area is difficult enough. When that is combined with major police and club operation, it is even harder.
Far from there being poor stewarding or poor policing at last night’s game, the safety of close to 30,000 people was ensured because of excellent stewarding and first class policing. A number of stewards were injured doing their jobs and protecting fans last night. 2 remain in hospital.
In summary, for very obvious reasons, this was always going to be a challenging evening. Months of planning went in to it and our staff were forced to deal with some very unpleasant individuals and circumstances. They did exceptionally well and no members of the public were hurt.
I’m very sorry that some fans, including some elderly, younger or disabled fans were disturbed by the flares let off by Crystal Palace fans but, as I have explained, the club could not possibly have prevented such items from being brought in to the stadium and each situation was managed on the night to the best of everyone’s ability.
Thank you for offering your opinions.
Regards, Paul
May also debunk some of the myths being shared on this forum last night.
*******************************************************
Dear XXXX,
Thank you for your email.
I’m sorry to hear your evening was spoiled by the mindless behaviour of a small number of Crystal Palace fans letting off some small flares and fireworks. I will however address each of your points in turn - and also correct a number of misperceptions:
Unfortunately, the type of flares let off last night are absolutely tiny and virtually impossible to detect without a full body search of every supporter which I’m afraid is neither practical nor possible - and isn’t at any football stadium in the country.
We were well aware of the likelihood of some Crystal Palace fans bringing flares to the stadium and we deployed pyrotechnic dogs, as well as additional turnstile stewards (from both clubs). However, such is the nature of the devices not all will be detected.
The flares are dropped on to the ground. Short of standing next to the person, there is very little chance for stewards or police to identify the culprits. Where individuals are identified, they are removed from the stadium discreetly to avoid disorder.
With regard to delays leaving the stadium, the first point to make is that the club does not control parking at Virgin Active. Neither does the club have 50 places in its directors’ car park so I can assure you that 50 cars at a time were not leaving this area.
Our priority after this match was to move as many supporters away from the stadium as quickly as possible - by train and by buses. This meant ALL traffic was held - as is usual - until this operation was as complete as possible. This was to ensure safe egress for as many people as possible.
I’m afraid that delays leaving football matches, particularly by car, are a fact of life. Some people leaving Old Trafford took 2 hours leaving the car park areas last Saturday. Moving nearly 30,000 from a confined area is difficult enough. When that is combined with major police and club operation, it is even harder.
Far from there being poor stewarding or poor policing at last night’s game, the safety of close to 30,000 people was ensured because of excellent stewarding and first class policing. A number of stewards were injured doing their jobs and protecting fans last night. 2 remain in hospital.
In summary, for very obvious reasons, this was always going to be a challenging evening. Months of planning went in to it and our staff were forced to deal with some very unpleasant individuals and circumstances. They did exceptionally well and no members of the public were hurt.
I’m very sorry that some fans, including some elderly, younger or disabled fans were disturbed by the flares let off by Crystal Palace fans but, as I have explained, the club could not possibly have prevented such items from being brought in to the stadium and each situation was managed on the night to the best of everyone’s ability.
Thank you for offering your opinions.
Regards, Paul
