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Simon Hughes MPRepresenting Southwark and Bermondsey since 1983 |
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Millwall vs West Ham: Hughes says full investigation needed - including role of clubs and police
August 26, 2009 12:00 AM
I was very sorry to hear about the violence at the West Ham game on Tuesday night. These were scenes I hoped had been banished from English football.
I am pushing the police and West Ham United for a full and fair investigation into what went wrong on Tuesday. From speaking to Millwall fans and the club it is clear that there were problems with the policing and the stewarding before, during and after the match. I am concerned that West Ham fans were not prevented from invading the pitch several times.
It is clear that Millwall fans were the subject of considerable provocation and from all accounts they resisted inside the ground.
It is less clear what happened outside the ground, but I am troubled that the policing and ticketing arrangements were not handled well from the outset. It is clear that there needs to be a full enquiry and I will be looking at this very closely and speaking to the Minister for Sport, Gerry Sutcliffe MP (this can be viewed below). Millwall Football Club has made significant efforts in recent years to eliminate unpleasant incidents and bad behaviour. Nothing in the past history of either Millwall or West Ham should prejudice honest and independent assessment of the events on Tuesday night and in the days leading up to the game. Everybody including the football league, the management of the two clubs and the police must be subject to the same independent assessment of what was right and wrong in the arrangements for and conduct of of Tuesday night's game.
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Letter to Gerry Sutcliffe MP Minister for Sport
Millwall FC vs West Ham United - 25th August 2009
I write, as a long time Millwall supporter and as one of the club's local MPs, about the sad and disappointing events at the Carling Cup game at Upton Park.
As we all know, the game was marred by unacceptable behaviour and violence. I write to seek your agreement that there is a full and fair investigation into what went wrong.
I was approached by fans the week before the match because of the ridiculously small number of tickets allocated to Millwall fans. It seemed to me then that there would be less risk of violence if Millwall fans had always been treated with respect and allocated enough tickets. I am keen that any enquiry looks into all decisions about ticketing and whether the final allocation was the right one.
I also understand that there were concerns about the policing before the match, and the stewarding and policing inside the ground. These concerns too should be investigated.
It is important too that there is a full investigation into how West Ham fans were able to come onto the pitch on several occasions.
The management of Millwall FC tell me that, quite wrongly in my view, they were not properly involved in the planning for the policing of the match and I am very concerned about this. This seems entirely wrong.
Millwall FC has made significant efforts in recent years to eliminate violence and the club's experience, knowledge and wisdom is hugely important and should not have been overlooked.
I would be grateful for your response to these issues and for your assurance that there will be a full and fair enquiry. I will phone to discuss the matter further with you as soon as that can be arranged.
Thank you in advance for your assistance and I look forward to your reply. Should there be any further information that I can provide in the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact me using the above details.
Yours sincerely
Simon Hughes MP
MP for North Southwark and Bermondsey
Cc. Millwall FC, Met Police Commissioner
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