West Ham Fan Banned for 'Oversized' Anti-Board Banner at London Stadium
A West Ham United season-ticket holder has been hit with a five-match ban after holding up an 'oversized' banner during a home game against Sunderland, which called for the club's owners to sell up. The supporter, Joshua Wood, received a letter accusing him of breaching ground regulations by retrieving the banner from under his seat, though the message itself was not cited as a reason for the sanction.
Details of the Incident and Club Regulations
Protests targeting David Sullivan, the largest shareholder, and Karren Brady, the vice-chair, have been common at matches this season. During the first half of the Sunderland game, a banner stating "Time 2 Sell – Name Your Price" was displayed, reflecting widespread anti-board sentiment among fans. The letter to Wood, a 27-year-old film-maker, stated that he was observed on CCTV reaching down to retrieve a banner that breached permitted dimensions, without prior notice to the club or London Stadium.
According to West Ham's published regulations, flags or banners larger than 2 metres by 1 metre are prohibited unless specified otherwise, and items must not be of an offensive nature. The club's sanctioning policy recommends bans of up to three home matches for possession of prohibited items, with punished individuals also risking exclusion from away games during that period.
Fan's Response and Appeal Plans
Wood told the Guardian that he had no part in smuggling the banner into the ground and was unaware of its origin. He explained that he and other fans were asked to hold it up as part of the protest campaign, estimating that eight people lifted the banner. Wood asserted that the ban was not for protesting but for breaching dimension rules, suggesting that a pro-board message would not have led to similar action.
He plans to appeal the ban, which covers two home and three away games. Wood is currently working on a project examining how West Ham's move from Upton Park in 2016 has impacted local communities, adding context to his involvement in fan activism.
Club's Stance and Safety Concerns
West Ham stated they are unable to comment on a live investigation but are understood to dispute that the ban was an attempt to suppress fan dissent. The club emphasised that it has not thwarted peaceful and lawful protests this season. It is believed that Wood was deemed in possession of the banner because CCTV footage showed him as the first person to pick it up, constituting a breach of stadium regulations.
The banner was considered a safety risk due to its oversized dimensions, lack of fire-retardant certification, and being passed over the heads of other supporters. The club accepted that other fans who merely held the banner as it was passed along the stand should not face action, deeming it unfair to penalise them.
This incident highlights ongoing tensions between West Ham's ownership and its fanbase, with regulations being enforced amidst a backdrop of sustained protest movements at matches throughout the season.
