West Ham ban fan caught wearing ‘GSB OUT’ T-shirt in protest at the board after landing pitchside flag bearer role
WEST HAM have banned a fan for revealing an anti-board T-shirt while he was a pitchside flag bearer. Cameron Robson, 23, managed to land the gig waving a giant club flag before last Wednesday’s match against Liverpool — then turned it into a dig at the Hammers top brass. Season-ticket holder Robson was pictured in […]
WEST HAM have banned a fan for revealing an anti-board T-shirt while he was a pitchside flag bearer.
Cameron Robson, 23, managed to land the gig waving a giant club flag before last Wednesday’s match against Liverpool — then turned it into a dig at the Hammers top brass.
Season-ticket holder Robson was pictured in a T-shirt emblazoned with the slogan ‘GSB OUT’ — a reference to joint-chairmen David Gold and David Sullivan plus vice-chair Karren Brady.
But the Hammers cracked down on the brazen protester – banning him from all West Ham games – home or away – for the rest of the season.
In a letter received on Tuesday, the club advised Robson he was banned from London Stadium with immediate effect for “displaying provocative messaging deliberately intended to incite the crowd”.
Robson is said to have breached a clause in West Ham’s season ticket terms which warned against actions that: “In the operator’s reasonable opinion, constitute a source of danger, nuisance or annoyance to any other person.”
The 13-game suspension has been dubbed a blessing in disguise by some given the club’s recent woeful form but Robson – a retail manager from Essex – does not see it that way.
Speaking to SunSport, he said: “I’m upset.
“I was half expecting it but it is still surprising they can issue a ban for such a thing
“My dad took me to West Ham in his arms when I was two-years-old and I’ve been going ever since.
“And to formally get a letter to say you’ve been banned from watching the club you grew up watching, it’s heartbreaking it really is.
“And to see how easily and cold-heartedly they did it too, they just don’t care.”
ANTI-BOARD CAMPAIGNER
Robson is known to West Ham having previously staged protests outside Sullivan’s home.
And given his status as a prominent anti-board campaigner, the Hammers fan withheld his identity when emailing the club to land the gig.
He then proceeded to conceal the emblazoned T-shirt under his jacket before the big reveal inside the ground.
Robson has been told he will not be refunded for the games he will miss but can appeal the ban – which he intends to do.
Despite a telephone explanation from West Ham’s head of operations Ben Illingworth, Robson remains confused by the severe action.
He added: “How can I be a source of danger when I’ve gone through a security check?
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“And not only that, the stadium operator LS185 allowed a protest on their ground before the Leicester game.
“How is that not inciting danger, nuisance or annoyance?
“I think it’s because I pushed the boundary as far as it can go.”
