Football club ‘will not tolerate’ abuse from fans.
Getty ImagesNorwich City’s “personal abuse” of players and their families has been condemned as the club prepares for another high-pressure encounter.
Hundreds of fans protested outside Carrow Road on Saturday, as Norwich City’s wretched Championship season continued with a 2-0 defeat.
Liam Manning’s team interrupted a run of six consecutive losses with a 1-1 midweek draw at Sheffield Wednesday, but they remain in the relegation zone ahead of Saturday’s visit from Leicester City.
A spokesperson for the club clarified: “The club would like to remind supporters that it will not tolerate abusive behaviour towards its players, their families and staff, or behaviour that has a detrimental impact on other supporters.”
Norwich are 22nd in the table, four points from safety, ahead of their journey to mid-table Leicester.
With only two wins in 14 games, the team faces relegation to the third tier for the second time in 66 years.
Last weekend’s defeat to Hull was preceded by a minor protest, but was followed by far larger and more enraged crowds outside the stadium.
City are requesting that restraint be demonstrated this weekend, following accusations that a small number of supporters let their tempers flare, scaring some of the players’ families as they exited the stadium. The statement continued:
“Following our most recent home game against Hull City, a tiny number of supporters shouted personal abuse at several of our players and their families. “Everyone at the football club understands the dissatisfaction felt by supporters during this time.
“Supporters have every right to show their emotions towards the club, be that love and support, or anger and frustration, but please do it in the right way.”
A minor objection occurred during the first half of the Hull match, when five tennis balls were thrown into the play.
That appeared to be in response to outrage over a proposed refurbishment of Carrow Road, which would have compelled 3,000 season-ticket holders to change seats.
However, main stakeholder Mark Attanasio informed BBC Radio Norfolk that he had placed those plans “on hold” three days prior. The statement concluded, “It is a criminal offence to throw objects onto the playing field.”
“Anyone found to have done so will be removed from the stadium and reported to the police, as well as being referred to the club’s sanction panel, where a ban may be imposed.”
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