Stoke City Takes Firm Stance on Fan Behavior at Bet365 Stadium
• Stoke City rejects all forms of violence inside and outside the stadium.
• The Potters have indefinitely banned the 54-year-old man responsible for these unacceptable actions.
By Oscar Cortes
During a match last season, Stoke City identified a man who unfortunately displayed critically intolerant behavior that is not tolerated by the club. The search for this man was extensive, and after locating him, he faced the consequences of his actions, having admitted to two charges of assault.
The man had attended a match at Bet365 Stadium last season, where he should have been cheering on The Potters in their EFL Championship fixture. Instead, he engaged in unacceptable conduct. His behavior escalated when he racially abused a Stoke City staff member and later assaulted a police officer following the match against Blackburn Rovers in November 2023.
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Stoke City Condemns Acts of Violence and Discrimination
The Potters will not allow fans to enter the stadium with aggressive intentions or to violate the club's code of conduct. As a result, the 54-year-old man has been banned from attending matches for a period of 4 years by the court. In addition, he was ordered to pay a fine of €2,160, along with court costs and victim surcharges totaling €949.
Stoke City strongly condemns the deplorable actions of this individual and anyone who engages in aggression inside Bet365 Stadium or any football venue worldwide. This behavior does not align with the values that the club or the football community strives for.
A man has received a fine and banning order after admitting to two counts of assault, one racially aggravated and one against an emergency worker, on a matchday at the bet365 Stadium last season.
— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) September 5, 2024
Furthermore, the club has imposed an indefinite ban on the man until he can demonstrate that he has undergone re-education and rehabilitation following his grave misconduct during the match against Blackburn Rovers.
Stoke City, along with other clubs in England, will continue to work on promoting better values and responsibility among fans in the stadiums. This effort is driven by the club's belief in educating its supporters to ensure that football can be enjoyed peacefully and harmoniously.
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