I just wish football followers would not bring these smoke bombs or flares into football ground. I saw what it did to the young lad in the wheelchair at Cardiffs ground in season(2012/13) Not a pretty sight to to see a young lad gasping for breath. Please if you know any one who is thinking of bringing one of these smoke bombs/flares into the ground,ask them to carefully think again. I know Sky use them in their controlled enviorment at certain live games. So what I will be doing at the next Sky meeting(in November)will be raising whether these "explosions" they have football matches is a good idea.
Smoke bombs do not explode, they have to be ignited normally be striking across their caps, then the start to release smoke. Pyrotechnics are part of football right across Europe and are used safely. Do not confuse misuse with safe use. A cup of tea or a hot pie represents more of a risk to a supporter. A cup of tea or a hot pie can be misused - thrown. Will you be raising the issue of burns and scolds caused by hot food and drink? If you have to talk to sky perhaps you could ask them to reign in the power of the EPL, work with fans groups such as the FSF to ensure sensible and accessible kick off times for fans at away games, observe the call from fans groups for cheaper tickets, ask for a far larger slice of TV income to be directed to towards this nationâs youth [less than 1% currently] via coaching rather than the trousers of already hugely rich players and agents. I would personally mention the huge disparity in wealth that sky helps create between the football league and the top division, its immoral - anti competition and did not exist before sky's involvement in the national sport. If pyrotechnics fall within Sky remit for discussion so does kick off times, prices, coaching and far more.
Thanks you for your reply. Here is an offer you should not refuse. Free Transport to the AGM in November,free entry and a free meal. Where you can put your above points of view to Barney francis and James Murdoch your self Let I know and I hope you don't refuse this fantastic offer.
I don't purchase sky, own no shares, try to avoid their products ... If they appear at Ashton Gate I would use the opportunity to pose some questions e.g is it fair that clubs that are run irresponsibly, and fail via relegation are rewarded with enormous parachute payments exceeding the TV income of entire lower divisions?
What is this thing against smoke bombs (usually about one per game, if that)? As mentioned above look all over Europe, the Americas, even Asia and they have MASSIVE pyrotechnic displays with no issues. Even the supporter groups in the USA, the bastion of PC and overbearing rules and regulations, have pyro to and at the grounds. People smoking cigarettes whilst waiting in the queue at crowded turnstiles. Awful food that gives you the runs. Shocking facilities at some grounds that must be a breeding ground for all manner of diseases. Drunken louts stumbling around on tight concourses oblivious to their surrounding. Overzealous stewards at some grounds manhandling supporters for little reason. Very cramped seating and gangways (usually terracing converted into seating) that is a disaster waiting to happen. All of the above are or can be far worse for health and safety of supporters but I don't see many people complaining or doing anything about it.
I'm not sure which forum I'm on (I'm on mobile) but it came up on the "front page" so I might as well say something. My local team is Partizan Belgrade (Serbia) and I've supported them all my life. I've gone to many games and while I no longer live in the country I consider myself at least a bit knowledgeable about what goes on on the terraces. Flares are an integral part of our club culture. They have been for many years and they are an element of our support, much like scarves, kits, and chanting are for you. We have one stand reserved for the ultras who are fervent supporters. They do not sit down or stop singing. I suppose the English equivalent is the hooligan culture of the 80s. Not one child or woman is seen in these stands. The only people who go here are able bodied men who support the club. The women and children as well as neutrals are free to take up seats in the west and east sides of the stadium. This way the smoke from the south, the flares and the projectiles do not reach them. The flares are properly lit, all people in the stand are prepared for the smoke, and they are thrown onto the athletics track where firefighters wait with buckets. Now, this only proves that flares themselves are not the problem. They do provide idiots with easy ways to cause problems though. The riot police are prepared and since there are no children or women or elderly there aren't any collateral victims to their fights. Meanwhile some idiots kick a ball around in the middle of this and everyone else just watches. In the end if all goes to plan, no one is hurt. The flares look amazing and nobody chokes on smoke they didn't know was coming. If someone uses them to start problems, the police are there and nobody gets hurt that doesn't want to be there. Now I come from a country without a great reputation in safety amongst other things. The people are more amused by fights and gang like activity than the football which is less than average at best. In England the situation is different and the matchday atmosphere is more for casual supporters. Its not about flares because that endangers the women, tourists, and children who make up a huge part of the mixed crowd.
