TRAVELLING FANS GET COLD SHOULDER
FOOTBALL fans are well used to being treated as second-class citizens by the game’s ruling bodies.
Travelling fans get the worst deal of all. That was again highlighted by a worrying lack of consideration shown by the Premier League and clubs for the safety of thousands of away fans this weekend.
With the Arctic freeze causing severe transport disruption and the police urging drivers to only make urgent journeys, away fans were left in a quandary whether to risk travelling or not.
Having bought tickets in advance many fans will have been tempted to travel against their better judgement on potentially dangerous roads.
Take Newcastle United fans travelling to Anfield, for example. They faced a 350-mile round trip to Merseyside for last night’s match with Liverpool on a hazardous crosscountry route.
Given adverse weather warnings about sub-zero temperatures, a train strike and other public transport disruption, there was a strong case for this match to be postponed. But that was never going to happen because it was being televised.
It’s one thing for clubs to clear pitches and stadia surrounds, but it’s impossible to guarantee the safety of the travelling public.
It’s time for the Premier League and the clubs to work together and formulate procedures preventing this sort of farce happening again.