‘I was watching Wales game when drunk fell on us from two rows up’

ANOTHER victim of drunken behaviour at the Principality Stadium has asked the Welsh Rugby Union for his money back over a ‘horrendous’ incident during the South Africa match a fortnight ago.

Michael Edwards says he did not expect a refund but that he did expect a ‘formal apology’. He tells The Rugby Paper he received neither, only ‘a bog-standard reply, like a Press release’.

What he complained about is shockingly similar to that of 60-year-old debenture holder Craig James as told in this column last week. It provides still more damning evidence of Welsh supporters who say they feel unsafe watching their team in what’s become the biggest pub in world rugby.

Edwards, 51, from Llantwit Major, was watching the match alongside his wife, Tracy, in Block U36, Row 12, Seats 9 and 10 (cost £180) when a drunken male spectator fell on them from two rows behind.

He told the WRU: “To my left was a family with a child about six years old who were enjoying the match as much as we were until, out of nowhere, a male who was clearly extremely drunk fell onto us from two rows up.

“My wife and I were soaked by alcohol as were the other poor family group when this gentleman fell through, knocking drinks and personal belongings all over the place.

It’s a miracle no-one suffered a serious injury.

“He was finally escorted away by police leaving the poor people along with ourselves cleaning up the carnage he left in his wake. We then had to suffer a pitch invader.’’

Edwards told Wales Online: “All of this behaviour comes down to one common denominator, excessive alcohol consumption. It would appear to me that anyone can enter (the stadium) no matter what state they are in.’’

He gave yesterday’s match against Australia a wide berth and is unlikely to go back.

“Ninety quid’s a lot of money to have some big guy fall on top of you and to have to listen to some Springbok supporters effing and blinding.

“I enjoy a beer as much as the next man but they have to stop the alcohol sales inside the stadium during matches. If the current situation persists it’s going to kill the enjoyment for those who are there to enjoy the rugby in a safe environment. It’s going to kill the support.”

This column urged the WRU to close all stadium bars during the match and ban fans from taking drinks to their seats. They ignored that, claiming it would cost every member club around £1,000 worth of funding.

They continue to ignore a rapidly deteriorating drink problem at their peril.