Posted on 5th November 2009
Almost 60,000 people have signed a petition started by human rights group Liberty to stop the controversial Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill becoming law.
Banned Sunderland fans launch Quinn petition appeal
This is a story from the FSF archive – the FSF and SD merged to become the FSA in 2019.
Sunderland supporters unfairly banned by their club from entering the Stadium of Light have come together to launch a petition appealing to chairman Niall Quinn to overturn the club’s decision. The fans have joined forces following an incident which occurred at Central Station on Saturday 8th August 2009.
FOLLOWERS OF EVERY CLUB SHOULD CLICK HERE AND SIGN THE PETITION AGAINST SUNDERLAND’S FAN BANS! IT COULD BE YOUR TURN NEXT.
Sunderland season ticket holders who were present at the incident last week received letters from the club informing them they are no longer welcome at the Stadium of Light because of a policy decision to ban anyone accused of violent conduct at football.
This is despite the fact that not one person has been charged with any offence and Sunderland’s own safety officer, Paul Weir, admitted to fans that many will see no further action from Northumbria Police.
A spokesperson for the group, who does not want to be named while the criminal investigation is ongoing, said:
“Please listen Niall: ever since you came to our club you have shown a level of respect and understanding towards fans that is unmatched by any player or chairman in this country.
“Many of us caught up in the Central Station incident have repeatedly protested our innocence – we are teachers and civil servants, medics and office workers, all of us committed Sunderland fans. We are not hooligans.
“We understand that we have a fight on our hands to clear our names with Northumbria Police, but we neither expect nor wish to fight Sunderland Football Club as well.
“When you took over as Chairman you asked the fans to put the past actions of the club behind us and back what you were trying to do, and we did. Now we ask you in that same spirit, give us the chance to clear our names before you turn your back on us.
“We have supported the team through the bad times and the Club has no right to find us guilty until proven innocent and to ban us, without refund or right of appeal, now that things are starting to go well on the field.
“Whoever is in charge, Sunderland Football Club belongs first and foremost to us, the fans, and we urge all Sunderland supporters to sign our petition – next time, it could be you.
“The petition respectfully requests our Chairman, Niall Quinn, to overturn this unfair club policy and reinstate all fans pending the result of proper legal action.”
