By Chernor Alimamy Kamara
East End Lions Football Club has unreservedly and unequivocally condemned the act of vandalization that took place at the Southern Arena Stadium during the match against Bo Rangers on the 27th May, 2023.
The club tendered its condemnation in a press statement issued on the 29th May 2023.
It said there is no place for violence and vandalization in football and that they’ve been made aware of allegations suggesting that one of their ‘passionate’ fans, who was understandably disappointed with the scoreline and delaying tactics employed by the Bo Rangers players, may have caused the damage to one of the seats in the Stadium.
It said if the allegations made against a particular fan of theirs are substantiated following a thorough independent and impartial investigation, the club will take full responsibility for the actions of that of their supporter and will promptly reimburse the management of the Southern Arena accordingly.
The press statement explained that tickets designated for the section of the stadium that was reserved for East End Lions fans were deliberately sold to Bo Rangers supporters. It added that continuous provocation and taunting directed at Lions supporters by the Bo Rangers fans led to the tense and hostile atmosphere.
The club urged the management of the Southern Arena to assume full responsibility and take immediate measures to better manage opposing fans in the future. It expressed deep concern regarding the selective release of videos by the management of the stadium and Bo Rangers, focusing solely on events that aim to portray Lions in a negative light.
“We strongly urge the management of the stadium and Bo Rangers to uphold principles of fairness and transparency by releasing the complete, unedited footage of the incident. This will enable a comprehensive understanding of the events that transpired and prevent any potential misrepresentation,” part of the statement reads.
It went on to state that if the full, unedited video is released, it will show that ‘regrettably’, in the 84th minute of the match, home team supporters began pelting plastic bottles towards their reserve bench, resulting in an unacceptable incident that marred the integrity of the match. It also noted that the accusations of vandalizing the away dressing room are baseless and unfounded, serving as a deliberate ploy to tarnish the image of the club.
The club accepted that its players may have left behind empty water sachets and refreshment packaging in the dressing room and that it is a common occurrence in dressing rooms worldwide. It said there was no malicious intent in leaving empty water sachet on the floor, and it is the responsibility of the stadium management to ensure cleanliness and maintenance at all time.
Lions also expressed concerns that the use of CCTV cameras in opposing team's dressing rooms during soccer matches is highly unethical and illegal. The club emphasized the utmost importance of respecting the privacy and security of all individuals.
Monitoring or recording activities in private areas, such as dressing rooms, without proper consent, is a violation of privacy laws and regulations in numerous countries, the statement asserts.
The club assured everyone that it will not condone any attempt to vandalize the Arena or any other facility in the country, citing the club’s priority in promoting fair play, respect, and a safe environment for all participants involved in football.
The club equally encourages supporters from all teams to consistently demonstrate respectful and positive behavior, fostering an atmosphere of camaraderie and passion for the sport. It promised to continue working diligently with relevant authorities and stakeholders to address the concerns raised and implement robust measures to prevent incidents of this nature in the future.
“We stand united in our commitment to maintaining the integrity and spirit of the beautiful game.” the statement ends.
Copyright © 2023 Politico (31/05/23)
