Swindon Town have had to issue a statement as their fans clash with Stevenage stewards and items were thrown onto the pitch.
According to multiple sources, flares, bins and seats were thrown by away fans as crowd trouble marred the latter stages of the Robins’ 1-1 draw in League Two at the Lamex Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
With Swindon falling behind, a small section of their supporters appeared to lose it with Stevenage stewards in the final five minutes.
Seven chairs were broken and thrown onto the pitch and towards the stewards, while five bins and their contents were thrown in the same direction too, state the Swindon Advertiser. A number of advertising boards and signs were ripped from their places as seen below…
Advertising hoardings, seats, bins and other detritus that were hurled onto the pitch during the game from the away end following disturbances between a number of travelling fans and stewards pic.twitter.com/9zY4CqPl4U
— Layth (@laythy29) September 4, 2021
Two flares were also thrown onto the field of play towards Swindon keeper Jojo Wollacott, just missing him as he stood on the edge of his six-yard box.
This comes days after Swindon released a statement asking fans not to bring flares to matches due to the pyrotechnics being banned at UK stadiums.
It is currently unknown what caused the disagreement in the stands, though the Stevenage stewards have been criticised by those who were in the away end, saying they had been asking for it throughout the game, but the way some Robins fans handled themselves was compared to a throwback to the 1970s.
View this post on Instagram
SWINDON TOWN STATEMENT:
Swindon Town Football Club would like to issue the following statement on behalf of Owner, Clem Morfuni and CEO, Rob Angus.
We were very disappointed by the events that unfolded in the away end towards the end of the game this afternoon.
While we are incredibly grateful for the large following we have away from home, the events that took place today are unacceptable and cannot happen again.
Due to the damage that was done to the away end, the club could now face further action from the EFL for this.
We urge all of our fans to treat visiting stewards, officials and property with the utmost respect at all times.
Your passion and love for the club is what makes you so special, but you must behave in a responsible and respectful manner.
We also want to once again stress that the use of pyrotechnics are prohibited within any stadia in England.
As we’ve stressed before, the Football Club could face action from the EFL if pyrotechnics are set off at games.
We also want to take this opportunity to apologise to Stevenage Football Club for what occurred today.
Today’s events are not an accurate representation of what the Football Club is all about.
Please work with us to ensure that going to games is an enjoyable and safe experience for everyone. We want to thank you all for your unbelievable support both home and away this season and long may it continue.
Clem and Rob.
– STATEMENT ENDS –
Advertising hoardings being ripped down and seats now being thrown from the Swindon end pic.twitter.com/5YMTEj65RH
— Layth (@laythy29) September 4, 2021
Twitter users reacted after Swindon issue a statement as fans clash with stewards and items thrown onto the pitch…
@DougSlug1973: 100% agree with the tone of the statement. There were a lot of kids in that stand this afternoon. Someone threw two flares and a chair over my head for God’s sake! Had to leave i am afraid. Unacceptable. And my 14 year old son and 73 year old Dad were with me too. Again, unacceptable.
@knight_pete: It’s a shame that these unfortunate events marred what was otherwise one of the best games I’ve seen at the Lamex for a few seasons. @Official_STFC have a great team and it was refreshing to see a team play good passing football without cheating or being dirty.
@loose_as: 100% agree and glad the club have come forward and made this statement.
@jackbstfc: Still think Pyros aren’t that big of a deal
@joerosswilliams: It’s not the San Siro mate.
@richard54155666: Can I say to clem and rob, thank you for apologising for today, but I should say it’s not you that should be doing that, it’s a small minority of your fans and a few of your players, I would like to apologise to @Official_STFC and it’s supporters on behalf of my club
@roblockyear90: Unacceptable behaviour for sure but I hope the club will be pushing Stevenage to investigate the stewards in question as well. That’s how it all started
@STFCSPENCER: Watched it unfold around me today. Dozen Swindon fans went berserk when provoked by the Steward who was arm gesturing 1-0 Stevenage before having an issue with a fan that walked by him. However the behaviour of that small amount of fans was not acceptable.
@_JoshyH_: A very classy response after some disgusting actions. It’s a shame that today was ruined by that as the away support and atmosphere was unbelievable throughout.
@jamiestfc78: Disappointed statement not stronger, making clear those involved will be identified & Banned? Minorities actions totally unacceptable to majority #stfc fans. Kids & families scared leaving early, throwing bins, seats & billboards undefendable @TrustSTFC @STFCSupClub need to say
@robashjames: Agree, that was shit behaviour from some. Chucking coins, seats, boardings & bins BUT from the minute we got in that ground the stewards were aggravating and then for that one to offer some fans for a fight, what do you expect?
@6thGUARDS_TNK: Expect the fans to ignore him. Treat the ‘Hard man’ for what he is, a joke of a steward. Clem’s done a brilliant job, but some of the supporters will have the club in further trouble.
@tommybu86288239: The minority always spoil it for the majority. If the club had any sense they’d get the cctv and ban these fucking idiots.
@SiWhittle: Fair play to them for this and hopefully we can investigate the stewards alleged actions and act appropriately
@Michael_Benke: Good statement. The stewarding was not great by any means but this in no way justifies throwing a bin at the stewards who were trying to be reasonable. Watching parents have to take their kids out early because they were terrified soured what should have been a good result #stfc
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