Dear Sir
Thank you for your communication regarding the recent match at Emirates Stadium against Everton.
I am sorry that the actions of a few so called football supporters caused some concerned on the day. I can confirm that investigations are ongoing to attempt to identify those involved and we are working with the Police to hopefully bring about some football banning orders on individuals.
Please find below the Club's official statement on the matter.
Arsenal v Everton
Barclays Premier League
Saturday 18th October 2008
Emirates Stadium
During the course of the second half of our match against Everton on Saturday 18th October, Arsenal stewards received a number of complaints from Everton supporters, who were sat in the visitors’ section in the Lower Tier at the south end of the stadium, alleging that they were being spat on from above and also being hit by objects.
Our stadium closed circuit television cameras were immediately trained on the specific areas in and above the visitors’ section. Arsenal stewards were also immediately deployed into both the Club Level and Upper Tier which are situated immediately above the visitors’ section. The Arsenal stewards in these areas patrolled the front rows of both Club Level and the Upper Tier for some time, but no culprits were identified.
Towards the end of the second half of the match, an incident occurred close to the segregation line which separates the Arsenal and visiting supporters. CCTV footage shows two people in the Everton section having an altercation with an Arsenal steward. This was followed by more people in the Everton section approaching the incident. Police and more stewards then arrived and calm was restored very quickly.
A complete review of all CCTV footage from this match has taken place and no-one can be identified as spitting. However, the footage clearly shows a number of objects being thrown from Club Level and the Upper Tier into the Everton section. The footage also shows objects being thrown from the Everton section towards the Arsenal sections in Club Level and Upper Tier, and also towards the Arsenal section in the Lower Tier.
Two incidents also show people in the Everton section attempting to throw objects up to Club Level, but the objects falling back into the Everton section.
However, although Arsenal stewards were deployed at the time, it is extremely difficult to identify the exact individuals who are throwing objects, as they are standing or sitting in a very large group. Therefore, unfortunately no culprits have been identified.
CCTV footage and reports from stewards indicate that approximately six objects in total were thrown. It is difficult to specify the objects, but they appear to be predominantly sweets and match programmes.
All CCTV footage has been forwarded to the Metropolitan Police for further investigation, in the hope that some culprits can be identified.
Anyone found guilty of spitting or throwing objects at Emirates Stadium will be immediately ejected and banned from the stadium and also risk arrest. Arsenal Members found guilty of this intolerable behaviour will have their membership cancelled.
Arsenal Football Club will not tolerate such anti-social behaviour at Emirates Stadium and a strict monitoring process will be implemented for our forthcoming matches in order to identify any potential culprits.
Yours Sincerely
John Beattie
Stadium Manager
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