Fan John Westwood speaks out on a half time incident leading to his fourth ban from Portsmouth this season with supporters concerned for him.
The 59 year old was told to leave during his side’s 1-0 defeat against Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday afternoon following a number of complaints made to the club.
This was because he made his way into the toilets and said he identified as a woman, giving those inside the facilities a shock.
It comes just three weeks after he was issued a third ban, when he was caught out with his handbell during the home game against Barnsley.
His antics have caused the League One club’s fans to question whether what he’s doing is worthy of getting banned from games.
The diehard Pompey fan told The News following Saturday’s incident: “I walked into the passageway before the toilets and didn’t go any further.
John Westwood has been handed a 4th ban by #Pompey. Mr Westwood said he wanted to show ‘solidarity’ by identifying as a woman. One witness who confronted him said his behaviour was ‘massively offensive’ to trans people and made women feel uncomfortable.https://t.co/dxTIOl0m6N
— Freddie Webb (@FredsDotW) March 14, 2023
“This woman came out of the toilets and told me to get out, so I left. I was just having a laugh and a giggle. Given it was women’s day, I thought I would identify as a woman to show solidarity with them.
“There was no malice intended.’
Twitter user Mark Acheson wrote: “@Pompey – John Westwood has just gone into a ladies’ toilet in the Fratton End, declaring he identifies as a woman. This has long since been beyond a joke – the club needs to take decisive action immediately on behalf of all decent fans. #Pompey”
This tweet was seen by thousands while hundreds liked and commented on the matter.
57 year old Mary Williams said as per The News that she confronted Westwood, who went crazy with behaviour ‘massively offensive to anyone who is transgender.’
“It’s ridiculous in the extreme that anyone would believe that is a stance he takes,” she goes on. “I’m 100 per cent in favour of someone who genuinely identifies as transgender to use any loo they want, but this is not that.
“He was there to provoke, intimidate and harass women.’
Westwood stated that he was banned from attending Pompey’s next two matches against Accrington Stanly and Bristol Rovers.
The club told him that a second decision would be made after the match. Three punishments were handed to the supporter this season: for making inappropriate gestures towards Coventry City supporters during a friendly; for urinating outside Forest Green Rovers stadium; and for handbelling to a friend.
Ms Williams stated that three fans thanked her independently for standing up to him after he made a formal complaint. He believes the rules don’t apply to him and finds it embarrassing that he is associated with the club.
“He’s been allowed to throw his weight around for far too long. Decent supporters have had enough. None of the women in that toilet were enjoying it, or found it remotely funny.”
John Westwood denies the accusation of being drunk and adds he didn’t think about his actions being offensive.
He said: “If I sing it’s a geezers club, I get told off, and if I identify as a woman, I also get told off. You’re not allowed to make light of anything anymore.
“Offence isn’t against the law and we’re all gonna offend someone at some point. That’s life and people have to get on with it.
“It seems to me now that minorities in this world are telling the majorities what they can and cannot think. I’m for equality but they cannot foist their ideas on people.”
In response to John Westwood ‘showing solidarity’ with females, Mary Williams said: “No one who has heard his misogynistic and sexist chanting would take that seriously. The likelihood of that is on par with Pompey finishing as champions this season.
‘‘I’ve got nothing personal against him, but he should not be allowed to impinge on the enjoyment of thousands of fans. It’s everyone’s club and that kind of behaviour needs to be challenged.”
A Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary spokesman confirmed ‘a man was escorted from the stadium by a police officer after he had entered the female toilets’ at 4pm.
SEE MORE: John Westwood handed THIRD BAN this season with gesture spotted on iFollow
This is what Twitter users said after fan John Westwood speaks on the half time incident leading to a fourth ban from Portsmouth this season…
@jmcclaf: If he is banned for the ‘next 2 games’ why are they away games? Surely he should be banned from FP! Also, clear that 2 game bans don’t work for him, anyone else would be banned for longer. Time for @pompey to stand up to him
@daniel_son79: Always someone else’s fault
@ptid1976: Abject response from @Pompey – banned for two AWAY games?! How will women in the Fratton End feel, next match, he’s there being as drunk, offensive and inappropriate as ever?! He should be out for season, no question – this is his 4th short ban in six months. It isn’t working!
@jamie_h_1979: Last ban he was moaning that he was being targeted and then pulls a stunt like that. He genuinely needs help, he is getting worse and not learning from previous behaviours and bans
@priortitchfield: It should be a much longer ban. He hasn’t learned.
@chanchester: Ban him for the rest of the season. Might give him the kick up the arse he needs to realise what a twat he’s become and the only people that find him funny are his handful of minion worshipers.
@V2Neco: Always knew this bloke was a wrongun, never trust a man who brings a bell and dresses up like a modern day jester on matchdays
@JuddPFC95: Honestly, what is wrong with the bloke. He’s 59-years-old and has kids. It’s embarrassing.
@DanielK95536583: Hopefully life time ban, he’s an embarrassment honestly
@84Knight: @Pompey Do one thing right this season and ban him for life.
@Pompeyruth: I was in there at the time! I knew it was him before I even saw him. His behaviour is totally unacceptable. He has no respect for women. Yet, talk to him when he’s not had a drink and he’s a completely different person.
@UncleUrdnot8291: When I met the guy back in about 2016/2017 after a game, he was lovely. Posing for photos, happy to chat, a bit drunk but the tipsy fun kind. Now, the guy’s a problem drinker who clearly has issues and needs some help. Before he does something that gets someone hurt or jailed.
@Smiffy671: I’ve said before the club should be reaching out and helping him .. he’s an alcoholic and has become one following PFC all his life, so they owe him.. else we the tax payer will be paying
@Loznharv: That should be it for him now! He’s had warning after warning, and still behaves like this!
@PFCAaronRMartin: This sort of behaviour needs reporting to safeguard women and girls at football. Those calling people highlighting this a grass are also part of the problem. Long term ban long overdue by the club. He needs help.
@86501: The response must be stronger than before. It’s the most serious and it’s the 4th this season so he’s not learning. Women and girls should feel safe to enjoy the games as much as anybody else
@sandalsnosocks: He has long been an embarrassment.
@sportyjim1: Should be given a lifetime ban at all football grounds. He’s an absolute embarrassment and there’s no place for his behaviour. Everyone knows who he is so will be easy to issue a lifetime ban at all grounds
You must be logged in to post a comment Login