Sit Down, Shut Up: Are Football Supporters Discriminated Against?
Every day the FSF hears from fans telling us that they’re sick of being treated like criminals by over-zealous police, tired of taking orders from doormen dressed up as ‘stewards’, and had enough with clubs forcing them to sit down when they’d rather stand. Is this now the typical matchday experience?

Sit Down, Shut Up: Are Football Supporters Discriminated Against? is the FSF’s free Question Time-style debate and gives you, the match-going fan, your opportunity to tell it how you see it to our expert panel of football journalists, police, and solicitors (see below for full event details).

Why are football supporters treated differently from other groups in society? Go to Wembley for a pop concert and you can stand without fear of ejection. Head to a rugby league match and you can drink in your seat but try that at a football game and you’ll get a criminal record. Why does the Crown Prosecution Service push for the most severe punishment in most cases involving football fans? Would this not be illegal if they followed this procedure with any other group in society? Are we seeing the return of the dreaded section 27?

Have we reached a tipping point and what role can we all play in improving things for the better?

We really hope you can make it - the event takes place at Brick Lane’s Vibe Bar on Thursday March 4th 2010 (7pm kick-off).
To register email your name to newsletters@fsf.org.uk