It is very sad that after one of our largest gates of the season and the game broadcast live on Sky, let alone, all around the world, that the biggest discussion point is not football.
On Saturday at our local derby a number of smoke canisters were discharged from both home and away supporters. The Club can confirm that an arrest was made on the day and further arrests are expected once CCTV images from the game, along with witness statements, have been studied closely. The Club will be working diligently with our security team, South Yorkshire Police and Sheffield Wednesday to identify the individuals responsible and deal with them in the strongest possible manner.
Moving forward, it is imperative that everyone works together to ensure that neither smoke canisters or flares are released in any section of the home supporter areas ever again. It was incomprehensible to see our own supporters’ health and well-being put in danger by the actions of two individuals.
We can confirm that any individual found bringing any device such as this into the Stadium in the future will face criminal charges and a lifetime football banning order.
One of the most remarkable things about the Club is the loyalty shown by its supporters and how vociferously they defend and protect our own. Even in the height of a local derby, it is utterly unacceptable do anything that might endanger a fellow supporter of the Club, let alone cause the Club significant financial and legal issues.
Should anyone have any information regarding the incidents from Saturday, then please email the Club on thereds@barnsleyfc.co.uk.
