Bournemouth crackdown on away fans' behaviour

Bournemouth's cracking down on tickets after trouble at the last five away matches.

There have been issues with drugs, aggressive behaviour and setting off flares.

The Cherries' are now asking away supporters to carry ID and tell staff if they've given their ticket to someone else.

In a statement, AFC Bournemouth said: "Over the last three away matches we have seen 13 incidents where our supporters have had to be dealt with by away club stewards and/or police. These incidents have included possession of Class A or Class B drugs, being intoxicated and aggressive/inflammatory behaviour. In eight of these 13 cases, the ticket holder was not the person to whom the seat was issued and who collected the Away Point.

"In addition, in each of our last five away games, a flare has been set off by one of our supporters. This is both very dangerous in terms of the safety of others but also a criminal offence.

"All of the above adversely affects the reputation of both AFC Bournemouth and you, our supporters, and we take this very seriously. We are sure that you, like us, will know that such behaviour is not representative of the vast majority of Cherries supporters and hope that you will assist us in tackling these issues.

"For the remaining two away games this season therefore, the following will apply:

• If you have passed on your ticket for Crystal Palace or Everton, you should inform us immediately, giving details of the person who now possesses the ticket issued to you.

• If you find you are no longer able to attend either of these fixtures, please let the ticketing team know by emailing tickets@afcb.co.uk or telephoning 01202 726300, option 1. Your ticket will be refunded and added to the pre-matchday on-sale so other Cherries fans may be able to use that seat. You can request a refund up to 12 noon on the Friday before the Crystal Palace game and up to 12 noon on Saturday for Everton. Even if you miss this deadline and can’t attend yourself, you should inform the ticket office.

• If attending either of these away matches, please take (and make sure others in your party take) ID as we have agreed with the away clubs a process of checking this against tickets to ensure the person attending is the person on our system for the associated seat. If you do not have ID on you and are not able to satisfy the check process, you will not be allowed entry. Please do allow time for this process on entry to the stadium.

• If you attend a game, are stopped and the ticket you have in your possession does not match your ID, you will not be permitted to enter.

• If you bought a ticket, did not refund or inform the ticketing team that you are not able to attend, and that ticket is found to be in the possession of another supporter trying to gain entry, you will have the relevant Away Point removed and will have your ticketing account suspended. This suspension will inevitably affect close season and 2023/24 matches.

• If you are aware of someone in possession of a pyrotechnic or witness one being thrown, please do report this to the nearest steward or police officer as soon as possible. Information received on the matchday itself will aid investigation and identification. AFC Bournemouth will fully assist and support the away club/police action in respect of any of our supporters being found to be in possession or using a pyrotechnic.

"We do of course want you to enjoy your away game experience, especially at this time in the season. However, the safety of our supporters and club staff, AFC Bournemouth’s good reputation and reducing ticket/points abuse are all too important to ignore.

"Thank you for your co-operation in this and your support."

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