S
Squiggles
Guest
Liverpool fans campaigning for the removal of George Gillett and Tom Hicks were shocked and angered after a banner was destroyed by FIFA officials at a World Cup game last weekend.
The flag, seized by officials at Durban Stadium on Sunday evening, was part of an internet-based awareness campaign opposing the club's ownership by the Americans, who have saddled the Reds with debts in excess of £351million since seizing control in 2007.
Stewards confiscated and destroyed the inoffensive flag taken into the stadium by Nadeem Khan, a member of the South African Liverpool Supporters Club, proclaiming 'Save Liverpool FC - Hicks and Gillett out' during to the game between Germany and Australia.
The 29-year-old was told by representatives of world football's governing body that the flag contravened their rules against obscene or vulgar images being displayed at games, despite no such guidelines existing in FIFA's ticketing terms and conditions.
He said: "I then went to the second level of the stadium as soon the kick-off whistle sounded to hang up my banner with the rest of the team supporters’ ones there.
"Then I went back to my seat at the lower level and constantly gazed up to check on the banner, it was around the 27th minute of the game that I looked up and to my horror there were three security officials removing the banner from the rail.
"I immediately got up to approach to the officers but I was confronted by two officials as soon as I stood up and asked to go to the security office.
"On my arrival there I was met by two other supervisors, both European and they showed me to a camera where they had recorded me. They had traced me from the time I got to the stadium until the time they called me.
"They saw the banner on live game footage and apparently had to remove it because FIFA's rules state that no material bearing obscene or vulgar images is to be displayed at their events.
"I pleaded my case then gave in after no joy and asked for the banner back so that I may keep it away, but they refused to return it to me. One steward sliced the banner up with his Stanley blade"
Nadeem, who had travelled to the game from Pietermaritzburg with his wife and child, had his phone searched as part of a crackdown on hooliganism and was warned that he would be closely monitored at future games he will be attending throughout the tournament.
"They then started lecturing me on football hooliganism and what charges they can issue against me and went through the call list on my phone," he added.
"My ticket number was recorded on their computer and they showed me all the games that I would be attending and how they will keep a close eye on me.
"By the time I returned to my seat Germany scored their fourth goal so I took my stuff and left with my wife and child who were terrified, not knowing what was going on.
"I only stopped shaking when I got back to Pietermaritzburg which is over 85 kilometres away."
Alan Cooper, one of Save Liverpool FC's co-ordinators, confirmed that the Football Supporters' Federation (FSF) are investigating why FIFA took such stringent against Mr Khan for displaying the banner.
He said: "We want an explanation from FIFA why a guy who was with his wife and kid was accused of being a hooligan and treated so badly.
"We understand them taking the banner down but I'd like to know why it was destroyed in front of him.
"The sensible thing to do would be to keep hold of the banner until the end of the game and then hand it back to him."
A FIFA spokesman confirmed to Click Liverpool that they were aware of the incident and "will revert in due course."
Two Irish fans were threatened with imprisonment for displaying an inoffensive flag during France's game with Uruguay last Friday whilst Americans were also threatened with jail terms for holding up a banner claiming, 'Wayne Bridge for USA' during their clash with England.
FIFA have been condemned by football fans worldwide for their censorship of this summer's tournament after they ejected 36 Holland fans from yesterday's 2-0 win over Denmark for wearing mini-dresses designed by Dutch brewer Bavaria, citing "ambush marketing".
Local businesses in South Africa have been banned from using the phrase 'World Cup 2010' unless they are officially recognised partners of the tournament whilst locally-made products are forbidden unlike FIFA's officially licensed merchandise, which was all made in Taiwan.
-angry face-
