English Soccer Fans Ejected And Banned For "Persistent Standing"

Maybe this is just what happens in a country where the sale of cutlery is circumscribed, but there's a little controversy going on at Sunderland. Fans showed up for yesterday's Boxing Day match against Man City only to find the above note attached to the backs of certain seats.

Persistent standing is apparently a major concern at the Stadium of Light, with bad blood between supporters and stewards going back several years. The club is being proactive, ejecting 38 fans for standing so far this season, and revoking the season tickets of a number of "repeat offenders." Here's video of one ejection from last month:

The team's security chief told the

"We certainly don't wish to spoil the enjoyment of any supporter, we want a vibrant matchday atmosphere just as much as the fans do, but we also have legal obligations that we must be seen to adhering to.

"We also have a duty of care to all our supporters, including elderly and disabled fans who have contacted us very concerned that their enjoyment on a matchday is being compromised because people around them stand throughout the game."

Things boiled over yesterday, with supporters fighting back the only way they know how: in song! "Fuck off you stewards," Sunderland fans chanted, "we'll stand if we want."

[ via SportsGrid]