DAFC Board Statement - Incident in NW Stand

Statement from the board following incident in the North West Stand at the Ayr United match.

The Board of DAFC are extremely disappointed that we should need to release a statement regarding the conduct of supporters at home matches, hard on the heels of a previous notification after the match with Dundee.

However, we fully recognise that it is a very small number of supporters who appear to be misbehaving, but their actions are now sullying the good name of our community club.

We have received from the SPFL, a copy of the match officials report from Saturday’s game against Ayr United. It identifies that a full cup of tea was thrown in the direction of the Assistant Referee, who was situated on the touchline at the North Stand, moments after Ayr scored their second goal.

This action was not only totally irresponsible but highly dangerous, and as a consequence we are now required to formally write to the SPFL with our comments on this matter, and outline the remedial action we intend to take. Representatives of the Board and our safety officers also met with Police Scotland this week, and a number of additional action points will now be taken forward.

Football is a passionate game, and emotions can sometimes run high, but there can be no excuse for entering the trackside or field of play, throwing any form of missile or overly aggressive behaviour. These actions will not be tolerated at East End Park.

This matter may well have serious repercussions for our club, and we may be fined as a result, something we can frankly ill afford, as we face our third season in League One. As previously highlighted, our club and Safety Officers have worked closely with our new Police Commander and Police Scotland over the last few months, to try and manage the risk at our home matches, without a Police presence. Saturday’s incident again undermines our plans and relationship.

Any repeat of this behaviour by any supporter will have serious consequences both for themselves and our club. After discussions with Police Scotland, any supporter who continues to misbehave in the Stadium will be subject to a Banning Order.

We would ask for the cooperation and support of the majority of our other supporters to identify anyone who is undermining the credibility and good name of our club, by misbehaving or not complying with our ground regulations, to a match day steward or by writing to our club separately.