Whilst there is so much to be happy about at your Club at the moment, with maximum points secured over the Christmas and New Year period, and a push towards the play-off positions, it was disappointing once again to witness and report on ongoing poor behaviour and ground regulation breaches during the two home games against Gillingham and Wimbledon.
Unfortunately there were discriminatory chants at both fixtures, including personal remarks and insulting words that included reference to gender. This is unacceptable. A number of individuals were ejected from the stadium for this breach of the Ground Regulations and handed to the police authorities, and they are currently subject to possible criminal charges.
In addition two individuals entered the field of play in further breaches of the Ground Regulations with the same result of ejection and being passed to the police with potential criminal charges and prosecution. These individuals are now banned from the stadium and face potential banning orders at other stadia across the country as a result.
To be absolutely clear Sutton United Football Club will not tolerate any behaviour of these kinds and supports both our match stewards and the police in dealing firmly with any breaches of our Ground Regulations, and we also fully support the football authorities in additional sanctions. Through our partnership with HerGameToo we are fully committed to a zero-tolerance approach to sexist chants and behaviour, and wholly support the number of other organisations and charities that seek to ensure the very best, and safest, spectator experiences occur at all matches, for all spectators.
The Club will ensure this message is reiterated via both our Supporter Liaison Officer and the Sutton United Supporters' Club and encourages anyone to be in contact with either to provide feedback and information regarding such incidents generally, as an alternative to approaching the Club directly. In addition we urge anyone witnessing any inappropriate behaviour in the stadium to report it to the nearest steward, or by text directly to the Matchday Control Room on 07513 834378, a number that can also be found in the matchday programme and on the scoreboard during matches.