Tag Archives: Premier League

Justice for the Archway One – Update about banned charity worker

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In October, we wrote about how an Arsenal fan who does a lot of work for a local charity was unfairly banned from The Emirates and the impact this had on the local charity. The back story is that a fan got in a few verbal’s with another Arsenal fan, 7 hours after a game, 3 miles from the ground. It was an argument not related to football, and just so happened to occur on a day Arsenal were playing. It was a situation that could happen to anyone at anytime.

The fan in question was banned by the club, based on advice by the WPC who headed up the Arsenal police intelligence team. This despite the judge stating during the case that the fan should not be banned as it was clearly not football related. What occurred was clearly exploitation of power, banning a single fan on the basis of a decision by a single officer.

Since our article on the matter, there have been developments in the case. The WPC who ‘advised’ the club on the matter has since is currently  “subject to ongoing disciplinary measures at present and no longer a part of the Arsenal Football Intelligence Unit.” The reason behind the disciplinary measures have not been released, yet this case was not the 1st time that said WPC was controversially involved in the ban of fans, after once saying “The football ban should send a clear message that police will not tolerate disruptive behaviour, before, during or after any matches” after two fans got banned due to a fracas which started due to them standing up.

So with the WPC in question now no longer part of the Arsenal Football Intelligence Unit, the question is, why are the club still upholding the ban, despite it being a ban based solely on her advice. A petition was recently started by friends of the banned for to gain “Justice For The Archway One”. Pin badges are also being sold by the badge sellers throughout pubs and outside of the stadium to raise funds to enable the fans to fight his case against the club.

We at SheWore back this campaign completely. This is Big Brother, This is 1984. This is the club banning someone for an action which just happened to happen on a game day. It could happen to anyone. You could be drinking in Liverpool Street on the day of a game, get in an argument, and get banned, or Regents Park, or Euston, or even on the banks of the River Thames in Temple, all these places are around 3 miles from our ground.

Both Arsenal Football Club & the Metropolitan Police had been served subject access requests under the Data Protection Act/Freedom of Information Act for all correspondence/evidence/statements relating to the decision to ban Mr Doherty, however neither has been forthcoming with any information stating they will not disclose to third parties & that all correspondence is confidential. Mr Doherty has made complaints regarding the actions of both parties & this now lies in the hands of the Information Commissioner’s Office. It must be remembered that Failure to comply with the Data Protection Act is a Criminal Offence!…

***EDIT*** at 5pm on 10th Dec I got a call from Mick saying the information request has arrived (timing eh?) and proves the policewomen in question has told the club she didn’t ask for a ban from the Courts, when she did. So misled Arsenal football club into giving him a ban***

The decision to ban the fan was clearly wrong it is impacting on the charity and sets a very poor precedent.

Sign the petition now and show your support, not just for the banned fan, but for all fans who could be potential banned after this poor decision.

GC

Safe Standing Petition: Have you signed it yet?

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By now I am sure you all would have read the survey results put out by the Black Scarf Movement (BSM). IF not, ensure you get them read here.

One of the most conclusive answers in the survey was with regards to Safe Standing, with 91.5% of all those surveyed in favour of it. This lead to a groundswell of support to the theory that not only should we look at implementing Safe Standing within the Emirates Stadium, but The Arsenal should be leading the campaign on behalf of all Premier League Clubs.

Arsenal Football Club has a deep and rich history in being leaders, promoting initiatives, our list of ‘firsts’:

  • Arsenal were the first team to use numbers on the back of their shirts
  • Arsenal were the first team to play a match broadcast live on radio
  • Arsenal were the first team to install floodlights in their ground
  • First team to play in a match broadcast live on TV
  • First team to play a match broadcast live in 3D TV

Under Herbert Chapman, we were seen as world leaders in football initiatives, with much of what he bought in then been exported to the global game. In the same sense, the current Arsenal Board should embody the memory of Chapman and lead the campaign for Safe Standing in English football.

Following the BSM’s survey on the atmosphere at the Emirates, and the support which it highlight, Arsenal supporters group REDaction added their support to the initiative, saying:

“The push for safe standing in the Premier League is gathering pace…both Arsene Wenger and Ivan Gazidis have also said that they think safe standing is a good idea…REDaction think safe standing is an issue that Arsenal should use their respected position in the football world to lead the way on.”

They state that the current problem is that whilst many clubs are saying, often officially, that they would support Safe standing if it was bought in, not enough are standing up (excuse the pun) and willing to lead the fight against the Premier League and UK Government. It is their belief, as it is ours, that Arsenal should lead that fight. With our history of being “innovators in football, pushing ideas that seemed revolutionary or even impossible at the time.”

They have begun a petition, which they will present to the board, demanding that Arsenal should lead the push for standing. The board often say they are custodians of the club, on behalf of the fans, if they believe this, they must stand alongside the fans once presented with evidence of thousands of signatures by fans demanding our club lead from the front.

What we are She Wore are asking is that you add your signature to the list. Whether you are a season ticket holder who go’s week in week out, a red member who go’s once a year, or a fan who has perhaps never been, add your signature. Arsenal fans need to stand side by side on this matter, show a collective force.

Even if you do not wish to stand yourself, add your signature, what REDaction and the BSM is asking for is not the entire stadium to be standing, but for those who wish to stand can, in their designated Safe standing area. This will actually benefit those who wish to sit as no longer will they have someone standing in front of them.

And if you live abroad and have never been, add your signature. One day you will go to a game. And one day you will want to go to the Emirates and stand. Look at Dortmund, people travel far and wide to stand in their end. Do not deny yourself a similar opportunity to do the same at Arsenal by not signing the petition.

There is no justifiable reason to not allow standing. The disasters of Bradford and Hillsborough were not caused by people standing. Not allowing Safe standing is a form of control.

Arsenal fans need to stand together. English football needs to stand together. Sign the petition. Let Arsenal be leaders once more.

GC

Easy Against Hull With Real Tests Coming Up

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Well do we finally have a back up striker again in the mould of Nick Bendtner?

I am far from this mans biggest fan, and when I say far just think of how huge the gap between us and Spurs is right now, that’s the kind of chasm of my dislike for this man, but all things considered he did put a shift in last night.
He won headers, and laid balls off and scored his goal. I still don’t want him to stay past January but I’m happy he came into the side and did a semi decent job.

 Overall the game was another good performance from us, we did enough without ever moving out of 2nd gear really. We made some changes to give a few players some rest, Jenkinson came in and didn’t make a mistake, Monreal is a trusted replacement at left back and of course Bendtner in for Giroud.

I’m glad Ozil scored as every time he does it will push him on a bit more, give him a bit more confidence to try some new things for us. There is still a lot to come from him. Pundits always say it’s the sign of champions when you tick along winning these games without really having to push yourselves, this game optimised that saying.

 On the way back from the game last night me and my step-dad were talking about the games now in front of us. Barring the Liverpool, Dortmund and United games this is the hardest period of our season so far. Everton at home, City away and then Chelsea at home. A minimum of 5 points from these games is the very least we should be expecting really. To win at home against Everton and draw against Chelsea and City would mean they don’t gain anything on us. Two wins would be nice but is then there a chance we could lose the 3rd game? If given the choice you had to take 2 wins and a loss who would you choose to have the loss against? I would choose City as its vital to win all your homes games.

My opinion is we will slip up at City, but I would expect us to do well and win at home against Everton and Chelsea. Its an exciting period and I cant wait for it. The end of the month brings West Ham and Newcastle, again I would expect us to beat West Ham but Newcastle have the ability to upset us, they have done before and could do again. If by the end of December we are still top with some points in the gap to second then we must start to believe, still not sure I want to hear that fatal song though, “We’re gonna win the league and now your gonna believe us”

 Show your support Sunday, I’ve offered my services to red action to help with the flag to drag it around the North Bank and onto the East Stand. If it moves over you help us by grabbing the ends tight.

 Up The Arsenal