Swansea City fans' protest moved from Liberty stadium
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
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43 Comments
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by Swan Vesta, Swansea
Monday, March 22 2010, 2:40PM
“Bill the builder, Swansea - You don't,"....appreciate being associated with a dog", yet your comments suggest you are Barking mad and you would, by implication, like to use Townhill people as if they were Lamp posts! So yes, Bill, you are 'dog', which only confirms that you lack intelligent judgement if you cannot see whats beyond your wet, black nose!”
by jackie, swansea
Sunday, March 21 2010, 1:55PM
“some of the people dont even go and watch the swans so get a life and your photo out of the papers there was only a hand full of peole there . that says it all”
by Neath Blue, Blue Neath
Sunday, March 21 2010, 12:17PM
“Paul,
I can see you're one of the more educated JB's in Neath :)”
by paul, NEATH
Sunday, March 21 2010, 11:42AM
“ALSO WHY CANT FANS SHOW SUPPORT TO THERE TEAM . WHY BE INSULTING TOWARDS THEM I THINK YOU ALL NEED TO GET HELP AS YOU ALL CLEARLY HAVE ISSUES. SORRY IF IM BEIN RUDE BUT YOU ARE BEIN RUDE AS WELL PLEASE DONT HAVE A GO AT THESE PEOPLE AT LEAST THEY ARE DOIN SOMETHING. ONE LAST THING IF YOU DONT LIKE FOOTBALL WHY COMMENT ON HERE YOU FOOLS.”
by Bill the builder, Swansea
Sunday, March 21 2010, 5:57AM
“Please could everyone cut the "jack" nonsense, i dont appreciate being associated with a dog
a dog saved a few people and now we're all branded as dogs, im swansea born and bred but im not a "jack" i dont go doggy paddling out to see and bite someone by the scruff of their necks and drag them inland
why do you all think your dogs? calling yourselves "jacks" is beyond stupid”
by Bill the builder, Swansea
Sunday, March 21 2010, 5:52AM
“Well said Heather
one major problem i have with all this "jacks" and "swans" stuff is it wasn't that long ago swansea wasn't a good team and most townhill chavs supported english premiership teams
I remember the days when kids were coming out of school with liverpool or man u tops on, now they've all started supporting the swans.
real jacks? i dont think so, as soon as the swans go back to loosing everyone will go back to supporting english teams.
Swansea has a very good reputation of supporting the best when their local team is rubbish”
by Heather, Mumbles
Saturday, March 20 2010, 9:27PM
“I hope people from outside of Wales don't get to hear about this.
How childish and how very embarrassing for Swansea!
Football is a mere game and a boring one at that. A game that seems to attract a certain kind of person. Personally I'd rather keep my money in MY pocket than support footballers.”
by Game for Nerds, Swansea
Saturday, March 20 2010, 9:23PM
“PATHETIC! Pity these people didn't put more energy into protesting about issues that are really important; issues that do affect people.
How very childish! Doh Doh I'm going to spit my dummy out.
It's football: I hate it: they are overpaid and it's boring.”
by Blll the builder, Swansea
Saturday, March 20 2010, 8:46PM
“Can someone translate what Claire said? it doesn't make any sense.
what does "yrs" mean? i looked in the dictionary but couldnt find it”
by Bill the builder, Swansea
Saturday, March 20 2010, 8:40PM
“Kevin, intelligent people don't live in townhill
council estates like townhill are populated by the scum of the city. as far as im concerned their so low on the ladder they shouldn't be allowed to voice their opinon on anything other than the jeremy kyle show”