Police called ‘a disgrace’ after Middlesbrough fans get pepper sprayed at Stoke

Police have been called ‘a disgrace’ after Middlesbrough fans get pepper sprayed whilst attending an away day at Stoke City.

Boro supporters travelled down from the North East took to social media to give their version of events, saying they were held inside the bet365 stadium by officers following the goalless Championship draw.

A 55 year old dad, who was at the game with his 15-year-old son, reported that they had stinging eyes and were in tears after being sprayed in the face by a police officer after they approached to see why they weren’t being allowed out of the ground.

The father, who has followed Boro all his life and is a seasoned away supporter, said his son had his ankle in a boot after breaking it. They were queueing to get out of the ground in the dark when they started to notice the crowd was being held back.

After being worried for his son, he goes on to add that he moved forward to ask officers what was going on and if they could safely get clear.

It was then that they were sprayed in the face, he said.

“How on earth can police spray us indiscriminately?” he said.

“I was in tears, I couldn’t see, my eyes were stinging until it wore off on Sunday morning. My face felt like it was burning.

“It needs stopping.”

He said there was no violence that he could see from fans – before the game they had all been mixing in The Harvester pub nearby with no problems.

There were Boro fans of all ages caught up in the congestion trying to leave the stadium, he said.

He has now lodged a complaint with Staffordshire Police about the treatment and is calling on Middlesbrough FC to stand by its fans.

“They locked us up like we were criminals, and in the middle of a pandemic. They had the gates locked,” he said.

“We want our club to support fans in this,” said the dad.

“It was so heavy handed. We were kept in the pitch black, shameful.”

Middlesbrough Football Club has confirmed it has been contacted by a number of supporters with complaints which will be referred to the police and relevant authorities.

Stoke City FC refused to comment on the matter.

A spokesman for Staffordshire Police said: “Following any football fixture, we automatically carryout a debrief, in conjunction with the football club, which will review tactics used and lessons learnt.

“A 15-year-old boy from Stoke-on-Trent was arrested on suspicion of assault by beating an emergency worker. He was released under investigation pending further enquiries.

“A 34-year-old man from Cleveland was also arrested on on suspicion of assault by beating an emergency worker. He was released under investigation pending further enquiries.”

Twitter users reacted with police called ‘a disgrace’ after Middlesbrough fans get pepper sprayed at Stoke…

@kenna32: Disgusting behavior by the police. Absolutely no need to treat people like animals.

@rob_fmttm: It was quite appalling. No communication. Lots of provocation. Extremely heavy handed. Fans being pepper sprayed – then finally all forced to walk between 2 lines of police being deliberately intimidating – our crime – watching football – terrible

@DannyGutteridge: It was completely unjustified. Nothing happened to trigger their response. Keeping us back was farcical without prior warning. People missed trains as they couldn’t plan for the delay. There were kids coughing with the pepper spray in the air. Cattle class citizens again.

@Jackoboro: There is no allegedly… I saw the aftermath with people rinsing eyes with bottles of water and clothes covered in spray.

@PCurt75: Disgraceful, i witnessed this at first hand with my 11 yr old son who was in tears, every copper had a blank expression, no compassion towards my upset child, they had a piece of my mind once i was allowd to leave my pen but they couldnt give a shit, inhumane treatment

@Smoggy_Dave: Kept back after the game in the concourse. When let outside the exit was closed off with 2 vans & police. Tension built after 15 mins a bobby sat in one of the vans pepper sprayed the crowd. When allowed out we were forced into a single file. Why? Disgraceful policing #boro

@TedHankyComedy: Sounds like a lot of innocent #Boro fans have been caught up in police brutality today in #StokeCity Women and children pepper sprayed, families missing trains home … Disgraceful behaviour! Care to comment @StaffsPolice?

@StuB53: Police only do something if you cause trouble………..

@MikeWilson1982: Action needs taking here like WTF

@ollie_skyrme: Stoke police are an absolute disgrace. Been pepper sprayed for no reason, kids and women getting sprayed and pushed away. Absolute fucking disgraceful @Police_SCFC

@helieboro: I’d also like an explanation into the police brutality yesterday. If you think locking 100’s of humans in an enclosed space (especially during Covid times), causing crushing, then pepper spraying children is part of your job then I’m at a loss to what your role is in society!

Banana Republic https://t.co/bGcErv8DdN pic.twitter.com/4x1w5XP9Dy

— Jonah 🇦🇹 (@Jonah1876) December 13, 2021