FA Sanctions

[The Gills PegLeg]

Following on from the three charges made by the FA for racist and sexist language made by Gillingham "fans" in home games against Colchester United & AFC Wimbledon and an away match against Sutton United in the 2022/23 campaign, the club has been fined by the FA. The penalty currently stands at £12,500 along with a further full review and action plan required by the club to further enhance its duties to protect the fanbase, players and staff of the club from such comments. Full report can be read below.

First sanction of its kind implemented by the FA in the club's history however regardless of that it shouldn't be happening at all. 2023 and neanderthals still exist in society and decide to tarnish our club with such vitriolic comments. Quite clearly the club has some lessons to learn also, but its a large wake up call that this simply cannot continue.

https://www.thefa.com/-/media/files...e-fa-v-gillingham-fc---11-september-2023.ashx

 

[The Gills PegLeg]

Update from the club:

https://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/news/2023/september/football-association-decision/

 

[brb]

Well done for highlighting this to the board pegleg.

It quite simply has got to stop.

i don't know who is doing this or how long they have been following our club, but this embarrassing let alone very offensive. If they can't change their behaviour then please stay away from the club.

It's sad in 2023 having to discuss this, let alone the £12.5k it's now cost our new owners. I struggle to believe these offences even occurred, but I have to accept they did, and hope that this was for the last time.

 

[brb]

Embarrassing day AGAIN today, I've had to take time to gather my thoughts, and clear the red mist from my eyes.

I think of all the decades I've supported this club, I've never felt so ashamed after todays events in the Rainham End. There are NO excuses, none whatsoever - how do you answer the fans from other clubs that have seen the video and call us racist, there is NO answer at all, shameful.

I'm pleased the club have acted instantly and decisIvely, BUT IT STILL WASN'T QUICK ENOUGH FOR ME, what is this three times now we've had instances regarding so called fan behaviour this season at matches, I'm losing count.

I believe the person now has a life ban, but we need more zero tolerance from our stewards, that dosen't allow a fan to position themself at the front of the terracing confronting players with their actions, they should have been jumped on (for want of better words) straight away.

I don't care if the opposition got a penalty, I don't care if they scored, I don't care if they celebrate in front of you, I don't care even if you think it's taunting you, the reaction should never have happened in ANY situation.

No excuses, No ifs, No buts, if this isn't clear enough for you then you shouldn't be at a game. STAY AWAY!

In the meantime and until we learn to behave ourselves, the fans running forward to celebrate goals will have to stop, along with any other approach to the front, we just can't risk it, we just can't be trusted until this is stamped out.

RANT OVER

 

[The Gills PegLeg]

Wasn't even sure I could bring myself to comment on the situation. I was so enraged on Saturday once I saw the image. Less than a week from an opposition goalkeeper being hit in the head by a vape thrown by one of our fans, and only a few weeks since the club has been hit with sanctions we find ourselves once again discussing the most unsavoury of topics related to our football club.

I've been informed by people who know the person in question isn't neurologically typical and does suffer with additional needs, however that is not excusable as they would have learned the behaviour from somewhere. What saddens me is that the stewards didn't actually react that fast at all. It had to result in another fan, marching down the Rainham End steps and pointing them out to a steward and the Police for them to get involved, and even then that fan was apprehended to start with by the Police. He was let go and the club has since thanked him for doing such an action, BUT I do believe the stewards are failing the club with their inability to manage sections of fans.

There was another event that occurred in Block 4 of the Rainham End which wasn't really dealt with. The full posts have been posted onto social media but to cut a long story short, 2 men made sexist comments and chants about the female Newport physio on Saturday and then a fan stood up and called them out for it. They chose to then abuse the fan calling them out for their actions, said fan took it to the stewards who did nothing. The fan returned to his seat before being abused by the 2 misogynists for most of the game before eventually other fans got involved and the Stewards eventually got the 2 perpetrators dragged out. From what I gather though, this was well into the second half before they were removed and the debacle went on for much longer than necessary. I've also seen a separate report at full time of a fan in the Medway Stand goading the players in particular Dom Jefferies which resulted in Jonny Williams basically trying to act as a mediator and hold Dom back from getting himself in trouble.

We have garnered some horrible people attending our terraces within the past 12 months and frankly I'd rather us return to crowds of 3000 than have people like that there each week. The stewards need much further and stern training so that they can intervene faster and nullify these actions. Fans are right to have an opinion, they don't have a right to make racist, homophobic or sexist comments to people at their place of work. If you're going to Priestfield to make such comments then don't bother coming back as we don't want you.

 

[alwaysright]

Why should the STH in the Gordon Road Stand (( whose 99th birthday was announced )), be punished ?

I accept that the FA were 'right' to impose the recent fines for a number of public misbehaviour... I rather suspect that the fines were as much about the lack of action taken by GFC to 'police' the relevant events, as the actual 'crimes.'..... I think that it was obvious that the Club could have done better to deter the subsequent nonsenses.....
..... I also believe that the Club has been given a 'wake-up call' by the FA as to the future sanctions at risk --- hence the swift(ish) action to apprehend the racist moron on Saturday - and the ejection of 2 or 3 others shortly afterwards... ((( although, it worried me seeing the broad grins on the faces of several fans in the vicinity of the idiot )))

The action by the Club against the moron is the least and also the most that the FA could have expected..... when several thousand people attend an event, it is unrealistic to expect the venue staff to prevent anti-social behaviour of all in attendance..... and, as the saying goes '' it only takes one...''

I sincerely hope that the FA can see the response by the Club -- and take note of the reaction by a large section of the Rainham End - showing their displeasure with Mr. Clot -- and show some common sense and sympathy towards the Club and the 99.99% of the decent fans - and not impose a points deduction, or close the ground..................

.......... unless the FA think that the 99 year old fan needs to be taught a lesson !(( by 'association' with the bigot ! ))..... Mr. Clot has been banned - he will be further punished in his day in court... neither GFC, the 99 year-old, me or my 9 year old grandchild should be smacked for something I didn't do.

 

[brb]

Because of the way X (formely twitter) displays things, due to length of text/character restrictions, I've stitched the below together in an easily readable format, but none of the context has removed:

Joe Comper

After the events of last weekend, I wanted to update supporters of some actions that have been taken

4:37 PM · Nov 2, 2023

1. Regarding the racism incident, this is being dealt with by the police and the club are supporting in any way we can.

2. After many reports from supporters, we have video footage, with audio, of 2 supporters making misogynistic chants. They have been banned for a period of time, and will not be back until some sensitivity training has been done. Thanks to HerGameToo for their support with this.

3. Going forward, we are increasing the number of SIA qualified security (which had already been increased last week) until we feel comfortable we have eradicated the problems we are encountering. This will be at a significant cost to the club.

4. We have added a further 4 cameras on the Rainham End, giving even clearer coverage of everyone in the stand. To be clear, we will use this addition footage to continue to eject and ban anyone who risks damaging the club financially, or with a points deduction.

5. Finally, I would like to personally thank everyone who has come forward with evidence, witness statements or general support for the club. We ask that you continue to do so, particularly via the match day helpline.

My thoughts...

I don't think the club can really do anymore than this, so it's a clear warning to everyone, that we will have you on video and will take action. Yes it's going to cost the club initially in manpower and surveillance equipment, but hopefully once everyone understands acceptable behaviour standards inside our stadium, then some of the costs associated with this can be reduced, and it's better the money is spent on positive actions, rather than lose it in negative actions such as fines.

 

[alwaysright]

I must be mad ((( but - I can't help myself from analysing the WHOLE picture )))
brb - I agree with your thoughts......... I would like to add;
The referees need to take appropriate action against players (( when obviously necessary .)) .... I can accept that there are no excuses for such asocial behaviour such as racism...

The matter might become a little more 'complex' if the perpetrator has a mental 'disorder' (( for example - Tourettes syndrome. )) I have no idea if Mr. Clot at the Newport game is medically / mentally challenged - so cannot comment if there may be 'mitigation' (( although I was appalled and cringed when I witnessed his actions. ))

My initial reaction (after cringing ), was to feel disgusted and sorry for Mr.Bogle for having to suffer 'bigoted hatred.'.... it wasn't a 'good look ' even if ((( and it would have to be an extremely huge if ))) Mr. Clot has medical afflictions which afforded him the plea of insanity !..... We could argue that, in those circumstances, the family of Mr. Clot had a responsibility to protect him - and society, from being able to display behaviour that is not acceptable...................... but - all of that might come out in court.......however - if we (prejudicially - for the moment), accept that Mr. Clot was of sound mind (( although - who, with a sound mind would be so crass ?? )), then he cannot and should not be given any latitude.....

............ having said that -

Mr. Bogle was not entirely without blame... He had every right to celebrate his goal -- but -- do it with his own fans - NOT to 'pose' in front of the Rainham End in a manner that was definitely going to incite a breach of the Peace - and ((( given the state of the World ))), there was always going to be a reaction from at least one Mr. Clot...... So, Mr. Bogle - you might not be a Clot - but - you are most definitely an idiot !... Whilst I have sympathy for you - if it was left to me to award any 'damages' to you, you might only get one penny ! ...It was right that Mr. Clot was arrested - but - in any other setting, Mr. Bogle could have also been liable for arrest on the first incitement - and definitely on the 2nd occasion !

The Referee was also not without blame on the day..... EVERYONE in the ground could see that Mr. Bogle's actions was inflammatory.. It deserved a card (let alone arrest !)----- So was it any wonder that Mr. Bogle decided to replicate his actions after the second penalty -- and what did the referee do - nothing (( some would say sweet FA ! ))........ and yet you automatically get a card if you remove your shirt whilst celebrating with your own fans...

..... which begs the question - who really is the mad one - Mr. Clot, Mr. Bogle, The referee, the FA---- me ???

 

[alwaysright]

Will the FA do anything ?

After Nichols scored the penalty there were at least two bottles - and other objects - possibly coins, thrown onto the pitch - landing very close to the Gills players - who did nothing to incite yobbish behaviour from the home fans......I predict the FA will do ' sweet FA ' about the criminality.........
.........had it been at Priestfield, I expect that the Club would be hung, drawn and quartered.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/football/67209655

 

[gioblues]

Will the FA do anything ?

After Nichols scored the penalty there were at least two bottles - and other objects - possibly coins, thrown onto the pitch - landing very close to the Gills players - who did nothing to incite yobbish behaviour from the home fans......I predict the FA will do ' sweet FA ' about the criminality.........
.........had it been at Priestfield, I expect that the Club would be hung, drawn and quartered.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/football/67209655

Yes I saw that. Unfortunately the problem is Gills we're already in trouble before the latest incidents.