Following an incident at the final whistle of our last home game against Sheffield Wednesday at AESSEAL New York Stadium that has since resulted in the individual in question being banned by the club and handed over to South Yorkshire Police, Rotherham United would like to stress the consequences that instances of anti-social behaviour carry.
Not only do the actions of individuals behaving in an anti-social manner make the matchday experience less enjoyable for other supporters at AESSEAL New York Stadium – something we pride ourselves on as a football club – they also have serious consequences for both the offending individual and Rotherham United.
In articles such as these, it is only right for us to reaffirm that the vast majority of our supporters are a credit to themselves in the way in which they conduct themselves both at home matches and on the road following their team and it disappoints us that a small number mean that we have the responsibility to re-publish this information in the public domain.
Incidents such as pitch encroachment are a criminal offence and perpetrators will continue to be dealt with in a manner that reflects the seriousness of these acts.
Not only will the individuals in question continue to receive banning orders and be investigated and potentially prosecuted by South Yorkshire Police, their actions also carry consequences for Rotherham United such as financial penalties and – in the most serious cases – points deductions.
Ahead of another fixture in which the away areas are sold out, the club would also like to remind supporters that it contravenes our ticketing terms and conditions to purchase a ticket in the home end for a fan of the visiting club.
Our ticketing system attributes any sale to the supporter who has purchased them and anybody found to have bought a ticket on behalf of an away supporter in the home area will face a club ban.
Again, it is important to stress that we are aware that the above information is adhered to impeccably by the majority of our fanbase, but it is our duty as a football club to continue to remind fans of the consequences that anti-social behaviour at our matches carry.
