In response to recent reports with a young Chelsea fan with autism allegedly the victim of a violent attack after a recent football match, Level Playing Field Chair, Joyce Cook OBE, has made the following statement:
‘Level Playing Field is deeply concerned to hear that a young disabled football fan was the victim of an alleged attack after the recent Swansea vs Chelsea game. Our thoughts are with this young man and his family and we very much hope that it won’t stop him from attending matches in the future.’
Level Playing Field stands against all forms of violence and discrimination. Sadly, disability hate crimes seem to be an increasing occurrence on our streets and we will continue to monitor this incident whilst allowing police to fully complete their investigations’.
Level Playing Field has offered its support to those involved and to both clubs, who were equally shocked by the reports, and we have asked the clubs to share further advice regarding disability abuse, the reporting mechanisms and zero tolerance in their upcoming matchday programmes.
If you have witnessed or been the victim of disability abuse, please do report it. You can find information regarding reporting abuse and discrimination here.