Match Day Thread Statement from SMC

Couldn't put this in the Brizzie thread.

Following Hull City’s opening home fixture of the 2022/23 season against Bristol City, the Superstadium Management Company (SMC) would like to offer clarification of the incidents of anti-social behaviour which led to Humberside Police bringing additional officers into the stadium.

In the 32nd minute, as Bristol City scored, an away supporter was ejected by the police after setting off a smoke canister. Bristol City have since confirmed that they intend to issue the individual with a three year football ban.

Immediately after this incident, items including bottles and coins were thrown by home fans towards Bristol City supporters.


Following the awarding of a penalty to Hull City, and subsequent goal, a number of attempts were made by both sets of supporters to push through the segregation area. During this period, a number of stewards and police officers were subjected to violent incidents, leading to a decision by Humberside Police to bring in two additional teams of police officers to provide assistance.

At the end of the match, a small number of Hull City fans attempted to fight with Bristol City supporters who were retrieving flags. Stewards and police were able to de-escalate this situation quickly, and no injuries were reported.

To be very clear, we celebrate the passion of Hull City fans, and the general excitement and atmosphere last Saturday was exactly what the club wanted to create by the relocation of home fans to the North Stand. The description of anti-social behaviour relates to a small number of specific offences, with investigations and attempts to identify those responsible ongoing.

We acknowledge that the incidents described above were instigated by a very small minority of the fans in attendance at the match. Nevertheless, the level of anti-social behaviour observed by SMC and Humberside Police was significantly greater than had been anticipated for this match, and in-line with the EFL’s campaign to rid the sport of this type of behaviour, Hull City and the SMC are committed to ensure a thrilling, safe environment for our valued fans to enjoy their football.

 

It's so generic it's just boring. That's football, a few people who intentionally sit next to oppositions fans give it large when their team scores, it will have happened 20 times over the weekend up and down the country. You could replace the words "Hull City" "Bristol City" etc etc with any other team name and it'd be just as relevant. Bet it's only us that issue a daft statement about it...

 

This wouldn’t have happened if they didn’t screw up on the first place and put the away fans right next to the home fans when so much more space was available. They messed up from an organisational sense and are shifting the blame.

As you’d probably imagine, the reaction on Twitter to this is not overly positive.

 

Thought away fans were going in a corner away from our fans ,but they end up next to each other behind the goal ,our club's run by idiots who know nothing about football fans

 

It shouldn’t matter how close opposing fans are sat. We shouldn’t have fans throwing missiles/coins or whatever. It’s not acceptable behaviour.

 

Tis that simple

 

Fair shout. Pointless behaviour.Would be helpful if they said plastic bottles. Gives the impression glass ones where flying around.

 

Mind, a full plastic bottle on the bonce would sting a bit...

 

The main issue for me is coins. One of those in the eye could blind someone.

 

And what do you think happens in stadiums that are full? They manage with one aisleway as segregation at a lot of them. Of course they don’t treat minor disorder like a civil nsurrection.

 

The police are narked cause they had to leave gay pride early

 

Agree. I know a Wakefield fan who was hit by a golf ball at the MKM when watching them play FC. A steward wasn’t interested, almost Intimating that he was lying as rugby fans didn’t do things like that. His saying did he think he had hit himself on the head with the golf ball, which he had picked up, and given himself a lump on the head led to an argument which saw the arrival of a senior steward. His reaction was if you don’t like the way things are handled put a complaint in. He actually wrote to the RFL. Their response was they found it hard to believe as rugby league was a family sport and without evidence nothing could be done anyway. No teams led by a Corcoran type poring over videos for month before getting banning orders handed out. Imagine the reaction by all those concerned and the HDM if that had happened at a City game.

 

Agree it’s not acceptable.

It would be less probable too were the fans not an aisle apart.

 

You can't say they though....it's always someone elses fault these days!

 

They are only an aisle apart at Goodison and Anfield for Liverpool v Everton, Liverpool v Man Utd, Arsenal and Chelsea versus a load of other London clubs, or against Man U, Liverpool, Leeds etc. Seem to cope OK. Don’t think the visit of City fans would cause consternation to those clubs or their fans.

 

Very dissapointed in Baz, the SMC and the new regime in persuing this negative approach after such a rousing opening home game. Can the authorities keep some perspective and not crush and suppress our new found proper football atmosphere just as soon as we have got it back please?

 

It's the first I've heard of coins been thrown. As they are almost directly in front of the control box
then it can't be difficult to identify individuals involved

 

They, particularly the police, have tried to suppress any exuberance at City matches from the early 1970s.

 

If they were, if, and were going both ways, you can bet only our fans will end up getting nicked.