K
KulrMeStoopid
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http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-n...hester-city-overreact-e-cigarette-user-194429
It's not uncommon for football clubs to eject unruly fans, and even suspend or confiscate season tickets in instances of exceptionally bad behaviour, like throwing objects onto the pitch, acting unruly in the stands, or continual use of foul or abusive language. However, it’s been reported that Manchester City has taken away the season ticket of one of their loyal fans for something seemingly innocuous: using an e-cigarette. Did they overreact?
According to numerous reports, the football fan in question was enjoying a drink with friends in the concourse when he took a draw from his electronic cigarette device. Security immediately approached him and escorted him into a room where he was questioned and told that vaping on the grounds was not allowed. Security then confiscated his season ticket and escorted them out of the stadium.
Days later the fan received a letter from City’s head of security, Peter Fletcher, who informed him his season ticket was henceforth suspended unless a reasonable explanation could be offered. Fletcher wrote:
"This is a prohibited item as mentioned in the terms and conditions of your season ticket. I have now suspended your season ticket pending any explanation that you may wish to give. Any representations you may wish to make must be in writing."
[h=2]A Question of Common Sense[/h]Since the story broke some weeks ago there have been many questions raised about whether or not Fletcher used common sense when dealing with the e-cig using fan. Those who agree with Fletcher's decision point out that the language banning electronic cigarettes in the stadium is clearly spelled out. They say the fan is being appropriately punished for engaging in an activity that some people find offensive.
On the other side of the coin there are those who believe both the actions of Fletcher and his security team were at the very least an overreaction, if not pretty heavy-handed as well. They say compared to some of the other things that go on at City games, using a Vapestick electronic cigarette on the concourse is relatively mild. Perhaps a first warning might have been more appropriate than what actually transpired.
Maybe a better way to handle the situation would have been for the security team to address the fan by saying something like, "you're not allowed to use your electroniccigarette here; please put it away." Had the fan continued vaping out of plain belligerence then there might have been some cause for further action. But, by all accounts, the fan offered no resistance at all.
[h=2]Different Standards[/h]One of the more interesting aspects of this story has to do with the different standards being exercised by different football clubs. While the use of electronic cigarettes is not allowed at Manchester City, other clubs, like Burnley, are openly embracing the tobacco alternative. In fact, that team might even end up selling e-cigarettes branded with its own name, if it can work out an appropriate deal with an e-cig brand.
Football clubs that are embracing e-cigarettes are doing so with the knowledge that many of their fans are smokers who are limiting their time in the stadiums due to restrictive smoking bans. If endorsing e-cigarettes will get those fans back to games and spending money on other things like food and drinks, it seems like a worthwhile thing to do. Add to that the marketing funds that teams could earn through deals or sponsorships with e-cig brands and it all starts to make good sense.
When all is said and done, every football club has the right to determine what will or will not be allowed within their facilities. Unfortunately, in this case it didn't work out too well for the Manchester City fan in question. Perhaps in future, steps might be taken to ensure incidents like this are handled with a little more common sense.
Read more: http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-n...erreact-e-cigarette-user-194429#ixzz2Orz19mwV
Follow us: talksport on Twitter
Read more at http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-n...t-e-cigarette-user-194429#R31DgXOrWCjCosVS.99
It's not uncommon for football clubs to eject unruly fans, and even suspend or confiscate season tickets in instances of exceptionally bad behaviour, like throwing objects onto the pitch, acting unruly in the stands, or continual use of foul or abusive language. However, it’s been reported that Manchester City has taken away the season ticket of one of their loyal fans for something seemingly innocuous: using an e-cigarette. Did they overreact?
According to numerous reports, the football fan in question was enjoying a drink with friends in the concourse when he took a draw from his electronic cigarette device. Security immediately approached him and escorted him into a room where he was questioned and told that vaping on the grounds was not allowed. Security then confiscated his season ticket and escorted them out of the stadium.
Days later the fan received a letter from City’s head of security, Peter Fletcher, who informed him his season ticket was henceforth suspended unless a reasonable explanation could be offered. Fletcher wrote:
"This is a prohibited item as mentioned in the terms and conditions of your season ticket. I have now suspended your season ticket pending any explanation that you may wish to give. Any representations you may wish to make must be in writing."
[h=2]A Question of Common Sense[/h]Since the story broke some weeks ago there have been many questions raised about whether or not Fletcher used common sense when dealing with the e-cig using fan. Those who agree with Fletcher's decision point out that the language banning electronic cigarettes in the stadium is clearly spelled out. They say the fan is being appropriately punished for engaging in an activity that some people find offensive.
On the other side of the coin there are those who believe both the actions of Fletcher and his security team were at the very least an overreaction, if not pretty heavy-handed as well. They say compared to some of the other things that go on at City games, using a Vapestick electronic cigarette on the concourse is relatively mild. Perhaps a first warning might have been more appropriate than what actually transpired.
Maybe a better way to handle the situation would have been for the security team to address the fan by saying something like, "you're not allowed to use your electroniccigarette here; please put it away." Had the fan continued vaping out of plain belligerence then there might have been some cause for further action. But, by all accounts, the fan offered no resistance at all.
[h=2]Different Standards[/h]One of the more interesting aspects of this story has to do with the different standards being exercised by different football clubs. While the use of electronic cigarettes is not allowed at Manchester City, other clubs, like Burnley, are openly embracing the tobacco alternative. In fact, that team might even end up selling e-cigarettes branded with its own name, if it can work out an appropriate deal with an e-cig brand.
Football clubs that are embracing e-cigarettes are doing so with the knowledge that many of their fans are smokers who are limiting their time in the stadiums due to restrictive smoking bans. If endorsing e-cigarettes will get those fans back to games and spending money on other things like food and drinks, it seems like a worthwhile thing to do. Add to that the marketing funds that teams could earn through deals or sponsorships with e-cig brands and it all starts to make good sense.
When all is said and done, every football club has the right to determine what will or will not be allowed within their facilities. Unfortunately, in this case it didn't work out too well for the Manchester City fan in question. Perhaps in future, steps might be taken to ensure incidents like this are handled with a little more common sense.
Read more: http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-n...erreact-e-cigarette-user-194429#ixzz2Orz19mwV
Follow us: talksport on Twitter
Read more at http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-n...t-e-cigarette-user-194429#R31DgXOrWCjCosVS.99
, but I have come close to throwing at our winger melli the big jat pudding he is pmsl
