maqroll Posted December 10, 2012 Share Posted December 10, 2012 Click Gordon Taylor, the chief executive of the Professional Footballers' Association, has called for protective netting to be introduced at stadiums behind the goals, corner flags and dugouts to prevent a "copycat" trend of objects being thrown on to pitches. Greater Manchester police have charged nine people in connection with the trouble that flared during the Manchester derby on Sunday when Rio Ferdinand was struck by a two-pence coin above his left eye while celebrating Robin van Persie's late winning goal for United. A number of stadiums in the Bundesliga and other European leagues already have safety nets in place to protect the players and Taylor believes the incident involving Ferdinand is a stark warning that their safety is under threat. He said: "It could have been a career-threatening injury if it had caught Rio's eye. There are certain areas that are more vulnerable than others – at corners, behind the goals and behind the dugout where substitutions are made. It's an option to consider. You wonder if there is a copycat reaction and that's obviously not good for players or referees. "It's the job of the PFA to safeguard the players. If we ignore this problem we ignore it at our peril. It's trying to keep a check on a pattern. People may think there are sufficient sanctions in place but if that had been a bad injury to Rio I don't think anything could have condoned that. "You wouldn't want anything to restrict the view and of course we aren't talking about fences, after Hillsborough. You've got to look at technology and see if there can be a way of protection without restricting the view. Safety of players and safety of fans is key." Cardiff's former Manchester City forward Craig Bellamy was targeted by Manchester United supporters who threw bottles and coins when the sides met in the Carling Cup in 2010, while a mobile phone was launched on to the pitch by a Liverpool supporter after Wayne Rooney scored during a game at Anfield in 2005. The Football Association, which condemned Sunday's ugly scenes as "unacceptable", and the Metropolitan Police launched separate investigations into how a Chelsea steward was hospitalised after Manchester United's victory at Stamford Bridge in October. Objects thrown included a seat, apparently aimed at Javier Hernández. However, during the 2011-12 season the number of football-related arrests across all competitions in England and Wales fell by 24% to 2,363. Arrests made for missiles thrown on to the pitch totalled 53 for 2011‑12, down from 64 the previous year, with 16 made in the Premier League during 2011-12, a decrease of four. Kevin Parker, a spokesman for the Manchester City Supporters Club, said: "In 40 years of watching football it's the first time I've seen that sort of thing happen at City. I don't think the introduction of netting is the right way forward for football. I've watched games in Europe with netting and it makes you as a supporter feel like a second-class citizen. It's not ideal and from a safety point of view I don't think it's ideal, for instance if fans needed to make a quick exit onto the field. "None of us condone what happened at City on Sunday, but we should wait for Manchester City, the police and the Football Association to have a look at what happened and how it can be prevented." Malcolm Clarke, the chairman of the Football Supporters' Federation, added: "Netting is not something we feel is necessary. No one condones the throwing of missiles but arrests last season were 24% down on previous seasons and not many social phenomenon alter that much." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Posted December 10, 2012 VT Supporter Share Posted December 10, 2012 That would make those corner seats even more desirable Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrentVilla Posted December 10, 2012 Moderator Share Posted December 10, 2012 I guess animals should be behind bars or nets. Sad state of affairs, football seems to be going backwards but hardly surprising in a game with as much moral backbone as Jimmy Saville. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimzk5 Posted December 10, 2012 Share Posted December 10, 2012 For derbys, especially ones that often have trouble then fair enough, but not for the likes of villa v wigan games Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maqroll Posted December 10, 2012 Author Share Posted December 10, 2012 What happens when there's a fire or a crush and the netting traps people where they are....can't see this happening, TBH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coda Posted December 10, 2012 Share Posted December 10, 2012 You'd have to cover the whole pitch for this to be effective. People can lob things from anywhere as displayed by the chap who hit that linesman at VP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutByEaster? Posted December 10, 2012 Moderator Share Posted December 10, 2012 Football hasn't really changed - there's a bandwagon growing where the game and supporters are being demonised this season - there have always been isolated incidents and this year isn't any different, it's just that the media have realised it sells papers so they're all over it. I've got to say I can't remember the last time I felt really unsafe in a ground. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr_Pangloss Posted December 10, 2012 Share Posted December 10, 2012 Great so a small minority of idiots have cause the FA to consider 'nets'. How about we allow a group of fans to beat the shit out of a pitch invader? That might provide an incentive not to invade and would sure prevent the need for nets. Seriously though, would netting have stopped that coin hitting Ferdinand? Nope. Given there's a small amount of pitch invasions in this league it sound like a massive overreaction and a waste of money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Rev Posted December 10, 2012 Share Posted December 10, 2012 The PFA, by the very nature of their existence are going to call for this. It doesnt mean they are going to get it or if they do get it that it will happen overnight. I cant see the Premier League wanting to bring it in yet, but this is a very public warning to fans to start behaving a bit better. Supporter behaviour has regressed massively in this country over the past couple of seasons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troglodyte Posted December 10, 2012 VT Supporter Share Posted December 10, 2012 Has it, though? Or is it more a case of what OBE is saying, in that the media are publicising incidents more (which, you could argue, may not be such a bad thing) because it sells papers? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coda Posted December 10, 2012 Share Posted December 10, 2012 Maybe they could wrap the players in some sort of netting as an alternative. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troglodyte Posted December 10, 2012 VT Supporter Share Posted December 10, 2012 Bubble-wrap kits? Would certainly help poor little mites like Suárez and Young when they get kicked around by the bigger boys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ml1dch Posted December 10, 2012 Share Posted December 10, 2012 What thickness of netting is being suggested that would be fine enough to stop a coin travelling through it but would be wide enough to allow people to see? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hogso Posted December 10, 2012 Share Posted December 10, 2012 Well, they seem to be able to put up netting (and remove it) prety quickly at various grounds around the country during warm ups before kick off, so it wouldn't be too hard to implement at least. Just at the worst offending grounds/matches though, please Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AVFCforever1991 Posted December 10, 2012 Share Posted December 10, 2012 Have them in Germany.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ml1dch Posted December 10, 2012 Share Posted December 10, 2012 Have them in Germany.. With fine enough netting to prevent a 10 euro cent piece from getting through it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zatman Posted December 10, 2012 Share Posted December 10, 2012 think its sad for fans of this happens but this has been a trend in last few weeks. I think was Rooney got hit with a few things in theMan Utd vs Chelsea game a few weeks and was happening a lot in Merseyside derby. only takes a few idiots to ruin it for everybody else Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjmooney Posted December 11, 2012 VT Supporter Share Posted December 11, 2012 What we need are computerised defence systems that can lock on to a coin in flight, and shoot it down using small guided anti-missile missiles. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrentVilla Posted December 11, 2012 Moderator Share Posted December 11, 2012 What we need are computerised defence systems that can lock on to a coin in flight, and shoot it down using small guided anti-missile missiles. Excellent idea. I also think that there should compulsory national service as stewards and that they should prepare for a ground assault. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOF Posted December 11, 2012 Moderator Share Posted December 11, 2012 Just a point on this. Quite a salient point though I feel. Neither the PFA nor any other governing body have 'called for netting' to be introduced at all. They actually said it is a solution to be looked at. Something to be contemplated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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