Please do not take the club's statementopinion as gospel and do not go in and view the incident with them.
"we believe that staff working for charlton athletic have acted appropriately at all times"
That is their opinion.
Report the assaults and allow the police to decide whether the individual committed unlawful violence on either you or your son.
"Working with the police" is a smokescreen, don't fall for it.
Katrien I know you'll have this reported back to you......
You are allegedly an intelligent person with legal training, please have a read of this explanation of common assault and then re-watch the footage
Under Section 39 of the Criminal Justice Act the offence will be committed when a person either assaults another person or commits a battery.
A battery is classified as the application of unlawful force. This could be anything from a push or slap.
An assault is when the one person makes the other fear that immediate force will be used against them. This could be anything from shaking a fist or running a finger across a throat. No force needs to be applied in order for it to be an assault.
It might be wise to dis-associate the club from the individual's actions if they have acted inappropriately in light of this little first year law re-cap
@mrbligh, if the CCTV images were comprehensive and showed the fullness of the incident, why would it be against Gwen's interests to go view them and discuss them with the club? It doesn't prejudice her right to pursue a latter action at all. Genuine question.
I'm struggling to see who legal action benefits to be honest. Even assuming there is sufficient evidence to support what happened to Gwen, I can't imagine anything more coming of this than common assault for the steward himself. Pretty insignificant outcome, and taking action aimed at the club might ultimately result in them declining Gwen's future business - the impact could be greater for her, particularly as she has personal reasons for being attached to her seat.
It would be a lesson for the steward perhaps, but the real issue is that the club saw fit to eject a fan just for displaying a banner. Reading the ground regulations they're worded in a way that gives the club justification for ejecting a fan for just about any reason they see fit, particularly if he failed to comply with the steward's instructions by putting it back up again.
It's all very unreasonable and unfair I know, but personally I think the fans should just go along, hear what they have to say and watch the CCTV. If they feel they've been unfairly treated then perhaps CASTrust and/or the FSF can take things to a more political level - I'm sure Matt Pennycook would have an interest in how the club are behaving given KM's comments to him.
But to be fair, I've no doubt Mick and John will handle it fairly - they're very decent people.
john little ? Not in my experience
Agree. I have had dealings with Mr Little and he doesn't do fair unless it makes his life easier. He certainly won't make any personally courageous decisions.
who we talking about the rapper or Robin Hoods mate?
To clear this up, as I understand it from Gwen, the situation was that the first steward handled it badly and as a result prompted a situation whereby the security guys were called down to effect Josh's ejection. In the process of grabbing Josh they knocked Gwen - she wasn't punched in the face. The police advised the stewards that Josh hadn't done anything but they ejected him on the instructions of a senior person at the club and confiscated his season ticket. Gwen was allowed back to her seat as she was caring for someone.
Gwen and Josh are going to review the CCTV together with Mick Everett tomorrow.
To clear this up, as I understand it from Gwen, the situation was that the first steward handled it badly and as a result prompted a situation whereby the security guys were called down to effect Josh's ejection. In the process of grabbing Josh they knocked Gwen - she wasn't punched in the face. The police advised the stewards that Josh hadn't done anything but they ejected him on the instructions of a senior person at the club and confiscated his season ticket. Gwen was allowed back to her seat as she was caring for someone.
Gwen and Josh are going to review the CCTV together with Mick Everett tomorrow.
In the box giving oath "Do you Katrien squirrel face Meire, promise to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth".
"No-one recently has been removed from the ground for having a banner".
My question therefore is: Which of the following is true?
1) Gwen's son was not removed from the ground. 2) Gwen's son was removed for a reason other than 'having a banner'. If so, what was the reason? 3) The statement is a lie.
To clear this up, as I understand it from Gwen, the situation was that the first steward handled it badly and as a result prompted a situation whereby the security guys were called down to effect Josh's ejection. In the process of grabbing Josh they knocked Gwen - she wasn't punched in the face. The police advised the stewards that Josh hadn't done anything but they ejected him on the instructions of a senior person at the club and confiscated his season ticket. Gwen was allowed back to her seat as she was caring for someone.
Gwen and Josh are going to review the CCTV together with Mick Everett tomorrow.
"knocked" may be a rather weak way of putting it, Gwen was also only allowed to return to her seat after police intervention.
I suppose we can't be too harsh on the club, they might stop talking to us.
To clear this up, as I understand it from Gwen, the situation was that the first steward handled it badly and as a result prompted a situation whereby the security guys were called down to effect Josh's ejection. In the process of grabbing Josh they knocked Gwen - she wasn't punched in the face. The police advised the stewards that Josh hadn't done anything but they ejected him on the instructions of a senior person at the club and confiscated his season ticket. Gwen was allowed back to her seat as she was caring for someone.
Gwen and Josh are going to review the CCTV together with Mick Everett tomorrow.
"a senior person at the club" - any clues on what her name is ?
I think I saw what I saw. It was heavy handed and innapropriate. I didn't see what I didn't see- i.e. what happened outside of the stand, but what I saw was outrageous and I don't care for people analysing the detail to minimise the serious of this. These were fellow Charlton fans, not criminals. I cry a tear that our club has come to this where it is at war with its fans. I think Duchatelet is genuine scum. The scummiest piece of shit of a man it is possible to get. It has become clear to me that he gets his pleasure from having power over people and proving it by upsetting them. I'm sure the crowd singing Watt's name last week sealed his latest departure.
From my seat in the East Stand my attention was drawn to the banner, and the general displeasure shown when apparently it was asked to be taken down. Then the initial steward went away (here comes the tricky bit) and the support started chanting 'put it back', to the tune of here we go.it was promptly displayed following the chanting I interpreted that as a piss take of the initial steward and then more than one returned.
"No-one recently has been removed from the ground for having a banner".
My question therefore is: Which of the following is true?
1) Gwen's son was not removed from the ground. 2) Gwen's son was removed for a reason other than 'having a banner'. If so, what was the reason? 3) The statement is a lie.
Anyone able to enlighten me?
What you have to ask yourself is 'how recent is recent?'. As far as I am aware nobody was removed from the ground yesterday for having a banner but in their eyes last Saturday was not recent, therefore in their own warped minds they are not lying! ;-)
The irony here is that they are happy to show people allegedly shagging on the pitch on the club website, despite sexual activity anywhere in the stadium not being allowed under club rules, but displaying an inoffensive protest banner is grounds for removal........
From my seat in the East Stand my attention was drawn to the banner, and the general displeasure shown when apparently it was asked to be taken down. Then the initial steward went away (here comes the tricky bit) and the support started chanting 'put it back', to the tune of here we go.it was promptly displayed following the chanting I interpreted that as a piss take of the initial steward and then more than one returned.
I think you're right.
The guy's reaction to the stewards telling him to remove the bed sheet was what escalated the situation.
From my seat in the East Stand my attention was drawn to the banner, and the general displeasure shown when apparently it was asked to be taken down. Then the initial steward went away (here comes the tricky bit) and the support started chanting 'put it back', to the tune of here we go.it was promptly displayed following the chanting I interpreted that as a piss take of the initial steward and then more than one returned.
I think you're right.
The guy's reaction to the stewards telling him to remove the bed sheet was what escalated the situation.
The guy had the banner in his hand, the steward then made a grab for him.
This video includes some clearing of the stairs post match. The stewards were in no mood to wait and had words with a few of the customers they were keen to get to vacate. I am not suggesting that they did anything that warrants a complaint, but the methods employed were not those that I would expect to be used if a business cared about it's customers. Belly barging tactics were employed but not apparent on the video.
Well no, don't do that. I'm sure the facts will become clear in due course but the stewards are just trying to do their job and they're under instruction from those managing the ground on the day. Don't make them a target, they're not the club - and they're nowhere near the worst out there either.
Well no, don't do that. I'm sure the facts will become clear in due course but the stewards are just trying to do their job and they're under instruction from those managing the ground on the day. Don't make them a target, they're not the club - and they're nowhere near the worst out there either.
You've clearly never seen them in 'action' down the stairwells where there are no cameras and 8 onto 1.....
Important I'm posting the following on behalf of Gwen and Josh, who won't be commenting further.
Gwen and Josh Gowers would like to clarify the facts of Josh's ejection from the ground at the Blackburn game, having had an opportunity to review the incident and the CCTV footage with the club.
They are happy to confirm that at no point was Josh grabbed by a steward or forcibly removed from his seat. Gwen would like to clarify that she was neither hit nor punched by a steward but accidentally knocked in the face, and this had been resolved with the steward there and then. She regrets that supporters reacted to her previous comments on social media in the way that they did, and would like to advise that all parties agree the matter is now closed.
The facts of the incident are these:
Josh was instructed by a steward to remove a banner displayed over the advertising hoarding. Unfortunately Josh reacted by directing verbal abuse towards the steward, for which he subsequently apologised. In response the steward did not grab Josh, but he did place his hand on Josh’s shoulder twice, which Josh did not welcome.
When Josh subsequently hung the banner over the hoarding once more, a senior steward came down to ask Josh to go with him to discuss the situation with him calmly away from the crowd, which he did peaceably.
As Josh had failed to comply with the steward’s initial instruction, and because his reaction was deemed by the club to have been aggressive, Josh was ejected from the ground on the instruction of the Safety Officer.
Gwen was not asked to leave her seat at any time, but accompanied Josh as he was ejected. The police persuaded the stewards to allow her to leave the ground briefly to check Josh was ok and then return to her seat.
Gwen and Josh have asked the club to make their policy regarding banners more clear, perhaps by publishing something on the official website. She felt that had they understood why the steward was instructing them to remove it the incident might have been avoided. They do accept, however, that this was not a reason for Josh to ignore the instructions he received.
Comments
Gwen and Josh are going to review the CCTV together with Mick Everett tomorrow.
"No m'lord"
"No-one recently has been removed from the ground for having a banner".
My question therefore is:
Which of the following is true?
1) Gwen's son was not removed from the ground.
2) Gwen's son was removed for a reason other than 'having a banner'. If so, what was the reason?
3) The statement is a lie.
Anyone able to enlighten me?
She was also "knocked" may be a rather weak way of putting it, Gwen was also only allowed to return to her seat after police intervention.
I suppose we can't be too harsh on the club, they might stop talking to us.
Then the initial steward went away (here comes the tricky bit) and the support started chanting 'put it back', to the tune of here we go.it was promptly displayed following the chanting
I interpreted that as a piss take of the initial steward and then more than one returned.
The irony here is that they are happy to show people allegedly shagging on the pitch on the club website, despite sexual activity anywhere in the stadium not being allowed under club rules, but displaying an inoffensive protest banner is grounds for removal........
The guy's reaction to the stewards telling him to remove the bed sheet was what escalated the situation.
well maybe not the signing the club over but I reckon we could pull enough willing to do it and up the stakes
Gwen and Josh Gowers would like to clarify the facts of Josh's ejection from the ground at the Blackburn game, having had an opportunity to review the incident and the CCTV footage with the club.
They are happy to confirm that at no point was Josh grabbed by a steward or forcibly removed from his seat. Gwen would like to clarify that she was neither hit nor punched by a steward but accidentally knocked in the face, and this had been resolved with the steward there and then. She regrets that supporters reacted to her previous comments on social media in the way that they did, and would like to advise that all parties agree the matter is now closed.
The facts of the incident are these:
- Josh was instructed by a steward to remove a banner displayed over the advertising hoarding. Unfortunately Josh reacted by directing verbal abuse towards the steward, for which he subsequently apologised. In response the steward did not grab Josh, but he did place his hand on Josh’s shoulder twice, which Josh did not welcome.
- When Josh subsequently hung the banner over the hoarding once more, a senior steward came down to ask Josh to go with him to discuss the situation with him calmly away from the crowd, which he did peaceably.
- As Josh had failed to comply with the steward’s initial instruction, and because his reaction was deemed by the club to have been aggressive, Josh was ejected from the ground on the instruction of the Safety Officer.
- Gwen was not asked to leave her seat at any time, but accompanied Josh as he was ejected. The police persuaded the stewards to allow her to leave the ground briefly to check Josh was ok and then return to her seat.
Gwen and Josh have asked the club to make their policy regarding banners more clear, perhaps by publishing something on the official website. She felt that had they understood why the steward was instructing them to remove it the incident might have been avoided. They do accept, however, that this was not a reason for Josh to ignore the instructions he received.Laugh a minute never have I read such a total recall on a subject
Perhaps the OP title should be changed to something more accurate.
I know what I saw and it was a grab.