Jump directly to the content
FOR F***'s SAKE CHARLTON

Footie fan threatened with losing his season ticket for slagging off his side on Twitter

Charlton Athletic claim supporter subjected to staff to 'continued inappropriate behaviour'

A FOOTIE fan was threatened with losing his Charlton Athletic SEASON TICKET after he criticised the club on social media.

The stunned supporter was only allowed to have the ticket after signing a contract agreeing not to repeat the behaviour.

 The letter informs the fan he will need to sign an Agreed Behaviour Contract as a condition in order to receive his ticket
4
The letter informs the fan he will need to sign an Agreed Behaviour Contract as a condition in order to receive his ticketCredit: SWNS:South West News Service


Have you received a similar letter from Charlton? We pay for stories! Call the news desk on 020 7782 4368, or email [email protected]


After a photo of the letter emerged on Twitter social media users were quick to slam the club for their decision.

But a Charlton Athletic spokesman has since claimed they wrote to the offender because of his "continued inappropriate behaviour towards members of staff".

The man was also said to have used "foul and abusive language" which was captured on stadium cameras.

The spokesperson said: "A letter was sent to this individual as it was relating to a particular set of circumstances.

"On Thursday, August 11th 2016, the individual was called by the club to arrange a meeting to discuss foul and abusive messages directed towards staff, both in person and via Charlton’s official social media channels.

"For a number of years, the club, together with the Metropolitan Police, have run an Agreed Behavioural Contract process which is designed to respond to anti-social behaviour rather than criminal prosecution or banning orders."

The fan, who does not want to be named, says the owners are trying to bully supporters.

But the club has claimed no other fans have received the letter.

 Charlton Athletic, who play at The Valley stadium, have said the supporter subjected their staff to "continued inappropriate behaviour"
4
Charlton Athletic, who play at The Valley stadium, have said the supporter subjected their staff to "continued inappropriate behaviour"Credit: PA:Press Association

Despite that, the unnamed Charlton supporter said: "It's disgusting what is going on at the club, they are trying to bully anyone who says anything negative about them.

"I said 'what about freedom of speech, what about everyone else who has tweeted similar statements?' and they said 'we think you have been doing it excessively'.

"It's like the club is being run by a dictator like in North Korea.

"They think they can target me and make an example of me. They are trying to pick on people so they decide it's not worth it and don't go anymore."

At a meeting last week the fan was given a season ticket and told he would not be allowed to sing or post anything derogatory about the club.

He then had to sign an Agreed Behaviour Contract.

 Charlton Athletic were regulated to League two last season after narrowly avoiding the drop the time before
4
Charlton Athletic were regulated to League two last season after narrowly avoiding the drop the time beforeCredit: PA:Press Association

The fan added: "They handed me my season ticket, but I was told they would be watching my behaviour because they're going to be watching to see if I post or sing anything they deem inflammatory or anti-social.

"My tweets weren't threatening, I didn't say I was going to go round to anyone's house, I just said 'For f*** sake Charlton, we want our club back' and "We want Roland out".

Under fire multi-millionaire owner Roland Duchatelet has a family of five European teams and used to own Standard Liege in Belgium until early last year.

He has been slammed for the team's poor performances that have seen them drop down to the third tier of English football.

Charlton were relegated to League Two last season after narrowly avoiding the drop last time.

Fans were also warned not to welcome back previous players, such as Michael Morrison, who was given a warm reception from fans after joining Birmingham in 2014.

 Charlton Athletic manager Russell Slade, pictured, has made eight signings this summer
4
Charlton Athletic manager Russell Slade, pictured, has made eight signings this summerCredit: PA:Press Association

The supporter added: "We were told don't welcome back old players, they're not our players anymore.

"I think the club is being asset stripped and run into the ground so that they can justify leaving the Valley, then they can make hundreds of millions selling the land for houses.

"They've openly said they want to bring players through the academy to sell on to the Premier League, they want to just use us as a feeder club.

"The owners have said they can't understand why English fans have such an affiliation to the club and that they don't care about the club's history.

"What does that say to the fans who volunteered to pull up weeds in the stand and go every week. It's really sad for the fans to see what's happening because it didn't have to happen.

"We will definitely go down to League Two next year. I'm worried we could become another Wimbledon.

"When they took us over we were a club on the up, but they are destroying everything that was built.

"The season tickets are nearly halving each year because people are so fed up with it - this year there are only 5,000, last year it was 11,000 and the year before when Chris Powell was manager it was 17,000."

Charlton spent six seasons in the Premier League between 2000 and 2007 but have seen increased protests against the owners who took over in 2014.

Topics