Keep Off The Pitch Says Roberto

Friday, 4 April 2008, 20:25
1 min read

Victory for the Swans against Bournemouth could secure promotion if third place Doncaster lose at Huddersfield but the Swans manager wants the fans to remain off the pitch promising that the players will be able to celebrate with the supporters but on their own terms.

Celebratory invasions have been a tradition of the past at Swansea but with the Liberty Stadium pitch costing upwards of £1 million, the club are keen to avoid celebrations on the pitch by requsting that fans stay in the stands as and when promotion is secured.

"I'm not taking anything for granted here," Martinez told the Evening Post.

"But if the situation where we clinch promotion arises, I'd love to see a controlled celebration where the players can celebrate properly with the fans.

"If people run onto the pitch things can end very quickly. The police get involved and I hope we can learn from what happened last time we went up.

"I understand there will be a lot of emotion if we can win promotion, but if we are controlled I can promise the fans they will get a chance to celebrate together with the players."

"The pitch needs to remain in good condition," said a Swansea spokesman, "and we don't want to damage it at any time because it could cost the club up to £1million.

"Anyone who runs onto the pitch risks a three-year ban from all football grounds and they would also be spoiling the occasion for others.

"The players want to do a lap of honour if and when they get promoted, but they will only do it if the fans stay off the pitch."

Images courtesy of Getty Images, Athena Picture Agency and Swansea City Football Club.

League Table

Next Up

Forum Latest

Threads: 18,410

Messages: 260,489

Members: 4,697

Latest member: capitagains99

Next Up

League Table

Last 6 Results

Latest from Blog

Swans TV: Swansea City Women v Cardiff City Women | An Alternative View

. . .Watch the best of our behind-the-scenes and pitchside footage as we wrap up the Swans Women's victory over Cardiff in An Alternative View seconds. For more information, as well as all the latest Swansea City AFC news, log onto the club's official website at http://www.swanseacity.com Subscribe on YouTube:…

Swans TV: Swansea City v Cardiff City | Women | Highlights

. . .watch some of the key moments from the Swans Women's South Wales Derby clash against Cardiff at the Swansea.com Stadium. For more information, as well as all the latest Swansea City AFC news, log onto the club's official website at http://www.swanseacity.com Subscribe on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/SWANSPLAYER Like us on…

Swans TV: Jamie Sherwood on Cardiff City Women | Reaction

. . . Jamie Sherwood talks to SwansTV following his side's 1-0 win against Cardiff City Women at the Swansea.com Stadium. For more information, as well as all the latest Swansea City AFC news, log onto the club's official website at http://www.swanseacity.com Subscribe on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/SWANSPLAYER Like us on Facebook:…

Swans TV: Stacey John-Davis on Cardiff City Women | Reaction

. . . Stacey John-Davis reflects on her sides 1-0 win over Cardiff City Women at the Swansea.com Stadium. For more information, as well as all the latest Swansea City AFC news, log onto the club's official website at http://www.swanseacity.com Subscribe on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/SWANSPLAYER Like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SwanseaCityFC Follow…

Swans TV: Joe Allen ahead of international break | Interview

. . .Joe Allen spoke to SwansTV ahead of the international break as he returns to the Cymru squad since retiring from international football. For more information, as well as all the latest Swansea City AFC news, log onto the club's official website at http://www.swanseacity.com Subscribe on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/SWANSPLAYER Like…