Good to see the legal profession making a stand on the behalf of football supporters, I hope this link works for eveyone... http://alisongurden.files.wordpress...-bhafc-matches-10th-may-and-13th-may-2013.pdf
brb I am embarrassed that I have not compiled a thread on this subject. I was required to learn about the data protection laws - and as a separate issue took an interest in the role of the police on this subject. When I read an article about the 'restrictions' of the fans of Brighton & Palace, I felt that they conflicted with my understanding of the rules. It appears that my understanding is correct ! It does appear that there was an expectation that all sorts of breaches of human rights / freedom of movement was going to be condoned. The application of rules need to be enforced by properly trained officials - not monkeys ( see my later bit at Brighton's ground ) I'm all in favour of the public being protected from thugs - but we need to have our basic right to 'roam' protected. Just because I might be wearing team colours, unless there are reasonable grounds to suspect that I may be doing wrong, no official has carte blanche right to ask for my inside leg measurement. It is different inside a stadium... here we consent to certain regulations regarding conduct and possessions such as a video camera, which wouldn't be a problem outside a ground - but even so, the data protection rules still apply. A few seasons ago I was quietly standing in the queue outside Brighton's ground, drinking from a can of Coke, when a steward came up to me and grabbed it ( for the purposes of confiscation ) " You can't take tins inside the ground ". I pointed out that I was not YET inside the ground and that he had just stolen from me & pointed out that it was in his interest to return the item before I called the police...... He couldn't give it back quick enough............... I wonder why I was then subjected to a search request twice before I managed to enter the ground.
alwaysright - hence why I am shouting so loud on these types of topics. People are just casually accepting the rules placed on their freedom of movement or speech, without question or challenge. I do not just apply this ethos solely to football matches but they do form a great part of my attention. Whether it be that simple can of drink or a more restrictive measure of an ID card, I suggest honest law abiding people (football supporters) start speaking up for their liberties before it is looked back with serious regret by future generations, unless they become cloned to controls.
