SWANS fans campaigning about the run of refereeing decisions that have gone against the club say they were shown the red card by stadium staff.

Natasha Smith, of Gors Avenue, Townhill, and other loyal fans organised a demonstration outside the Liberty Stadium to encourage people to protest to Uefa about refereeing at matches.

The fans say the final straw was after West Brom were awarded a controversial penalty in the 79th minute of Tuesday night's 2-0 win at the stadium.

They said that the referee's decision cost them crucial points and comes on the back of a number of other key decisions which they feel have gone against them this season. The Swans fans, donning SOS, Save our Swans T-shirts set up their tables with petitions and placards yesterday afternoon.

But within 10 minutes they were asked to move from their pitch near the Ivor Allchurch statue by security staff from the management company that runs the stadium.

Timothy Matthews, an avid Swans fan for more than 40 years, said: "Security asked us to move and we did. We moved over to a piece of land opposite to collect signatures."

Mrs Smith said: "We didn't want trouble. If they want to chuck their fans, who pay to go to the games, off their own stadium grounds, let them. What matters is we are supporting our football team."

The fans collected 30 names within the first hour and vowed they would take their petitions with them when Swans play QPR at Loftus Road on Saturday.

Numerous drivers sounded their horns and fans chanted to drum up further support for the cause.

Mr Matthews said: "We are happy with Paulo Sousa.

"Why can't they have cameras on the lines and go for a camera angle. It would be fairer."

Mrs Smith said: "Penalties and free-kicks are being allowed too often lately.

"It is disheartening because you go to the match knowing this is going to happen."

For everything Swansea City FC, visit myswans

Swans manager Paula Sousa told the Post that the 79th-minute penalty was just one of a succession of decisions to have gone against Swansea.

He said: "These decisions are something we are used to now — I don't remember us having any luck with referees this season.

"Mistakes happen — to referees, to managers and to players. But some of the time this season I don't think they have been honest."

Nobody from Swansea Stadium Management Company, the firm that runs the Liberty, was available to comment.

laura.davies@swwmedia.co.uk

Related articles:

'We'll take it up with UEFA'