World NewsBooth 'Shocked' By Fan Attack On Chairman |
Mansfield chief executive Stephen Booth admitted he was "shocked" after chairman Keith Haslam was attacked by a supporter after their defeat to Rotherham.
The 1-0 loss leaves the Stags' Football League future hanging by a thread and reportedly led to Haslam needing hospital treatment.A point for Chester in either of their two remaining games will see the club drop out of Coca-Cola League Two and fans allegedly stormed the boardroom in the wake of the defeat, which came courtesy of a freak Jamie Yates goal.
Booth told the Mansfield Chad: "We are all shocked. I saw it with my own eyes.
"How can you justify behaviour like that? The girls working in the boardroom are very distressed and upset.
"Keith is obviously very shaken by it all, as are the staff."
Former chairman James Derry, who fronts one of the consortia hoping to buy the troubled club from Haslam added: "Keith did walk out of the ground and I spoke to him, so it doesn't look too bad.
"It is a very sad day for everyone, but you have to deplore any physical violence. Passions were running high, but that is no excuse."
Fans invaded the pitch after the game despite being asked not to by the club, who have had the capacity at their Field Mill stadium cut because of previous crowd issues, but the local council have insisted the club will not face any action over these problems.
And Sue Storey, from the Nottinghamshire County Council Safety Advisory Group, said: "I cannot really comment on what happened in the directors' area as that is the subject of a police investigation.
"We will await the outcome of their involvement and then see what action, if any, we need to take.
"But there will be no action taken against the club as a result of the pitch incursions.
"The stewards and police worked well together to handle a difficult situation. Credit to them.
"Despite requests young fans ran on to the pitch. It was inappropriate to use force to stop them.
"The club was right not to allow the players back on for any celebration lap of honour, as had been promised. The fans had been warned."
Copyright (c) 2009 Press Association
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