Grimsby Town says it will not accept any blame being placed on its fans for the security checks at Saturday’s game with Stevenage FC, which allegedly saw female supporters being asked to lift up their tops to show their bras and children as young as five searched.
Grimsby supporters club the Mariners Trust wrote a stinging letter of complaint to the Stevenage club, the national media and the footballing authorities after Saturday’s game.
Stevenage FC came back last night with a statement saying nothing had been done that was “inappropriate” and that it stood by the increased security at the match because it had been briefed by police that there has been ‘disorder’ at Grimsby’s previous away game at Chesterfield.
But the Mariners responded with a strongly worded riposte saying that it is formally raising the matter with Stevenage today and “fully refutes having any finger of blame” pointed in its direction.
It says the fixture had been discussed before the game and Stevenage had been reassured that risk issues would be “minimal – other than a few drinkers travelling to the fixture”.
The club says it was suggested to Stevenage that “positive engagement would result in a fun and issue free day” and that the only small risk they faced, was a “chance of smoke bombs from a small section of younger supporters aged 15-25”, as this had happened at Chesterfield.
It added: “GTFC does not condone searching of minors (under 13s) or the questioning of females about the contents of their underwear and fully supports the letter issued by the Mariners Trust.
“Each club is fully responsible for its own stewarding operation and must accept any consequences of proved failings on the day. On that note we fully support the EFL who are looking into the nature of the complaints raised and await their findings.”
The club said it is formally raising the matter with Stevenage today and “fully refutes having any finger of blame” pointed in their direction.
The EFL has also issued a statement saying its security advisor is looking further into the matters raised and will be seeking the observations of both clubs.
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