WHY ARE FOOTBALL CLUBS ABOVE THE LAW? FANS HAVE NO RECOURSE

[Bolton Bill]

How come in nearly every industry that an Ombudsman's adjudication is legally binding, BUT for football clubs this is not the case? The Independent Football Ombudsman is the final point of call for a football fan with a grievance against a football club, however the Ombudsman's judgement can be ignored by the club if it is ruled in the fan's favour! Surely this is wrong & it must be changed...

SIGN & SUPPORT THIS PETITION TO IMPROVE THE RIGHTS OF ALL FOOTBALL SUPPORTERS: - https://www.change.org/p/the-premier-le ... ball-clubs

[northbank123]

Because other ombudsmen protect lay individuals either from monopolies/oligopolies and/or from bodies from which they are particularly vulnerable (e.g. police, waterways, housing)

Going to watch top-tier football is an absolute luxury and not a god-given right like some people seem to think, and clubs are already regulated by the laws of the country and FA, FIFA, PL and UEFA regulations. In the absence of flagrant disregard for any due process by clubs then I don't really see the need for an ombudsman at all, never mind one with legally-binding power.

[gp543]

Because other ombudsmen protect lay individuals either from monopolies/oligopolies and/or from bodies from which they are particularly vulnerable (e.g. police, waterways, housing)

Going to watch top-tier football is an absolute luxury and not a god-given right like some people seem to think, and clubs are already regulated by the laws of the country and FA, FIFA, PL and UEFA regulations. In the absence of flagrant disregard for any due process by clubs then I don't really see the need for an ombudsman at all, never mind one with legally-binding power.

Agreed. Sorry your mate wasn't treated 100% fairly but I've got real doubts about his total innocence.

[nut flush gooner]

Slightly off topic but signing up to one of these petitions leaves you open to being spammed with every subsequent petition under the sun!

[Herd]

Since the club are ignoring the Ombudsmans recommendations you can take it there is no due process and no Justice !

Very poor form at the club from Mr Beatie , I have heard scores of stories about this odious person !

[Bolton Bill]

Because other ombudsmen protect lay individuals either from monopolies/oligopolies and/or from bodies from which they are particularly vulnerable (e.g. police, waterways, housing)

Going to watch top-tier football is an absolute luxury and not a god-given right like some people seem to think, and clubs are already regulated by the laws of the country and FA, FIFA, PL and UEFA regulations. In the absence of flagrant disregard for any due process by clubs then I don't really see the need for an ombudsman at all, never mind one with legally-binding power.

Clubs that are Flagrantly disregarding due process & the decisions of the courts of this country need to be answerable to an Ombudsman, who must have legally binding powers!!

FYI recently our club (Arsenal) & The Premier League have breached the terms of reference of the Football Ombudsman Scheme as mentioned in The Independent Football Ombudsman's Annual Report 2014/15 - It is a requirement of clubs & The Premier League to give reasons why they do not follow the Ombudsman's recommendations. This has not been done. Are rules & regulations only for supporters and NOT for clubs or the authorities??? This wrecks of Double Standards.

[northbank123]

Because other ombudsmen protect lay individuals either from monopolies/oligopolies and/or from bodies from which they are particularly vulnerable (e.g. police, waterways, housing)

Going to watch top-tier football is an absolute luxury and not a god-given right like some people seem to think, and clubs are already regulated by the laws of the country and FA, FIFA, PL and UEFA regulations. In the absence of flagrant disregard for any due process by clubs then I don't really see the need for an ombudsman at all, never mind one with legally-binding power.

Clubs that are Flagrantly disregarding due process & the decisions of the courts of this country need to be answerable to an Ombudsman, who must have legally binding powers!!

FYI recently our club (Arsenal) & The Premier League have breached the terms of reference of the Football Ombudsman Scheme as mentioned in The Independent Football Ombudsman's Annual Report 2014/15 - It is a requirement of clubs & The Premier League to give reasons why they do not follow the Ombudsman's recommendations. This has not been done. Are rules & regulations only for supporters and NOT for clubs or the authorities??? This wrecks of Double Standards.

Please do correct me if I'm wrong and I didn't realise that there was a Football Ombudsman but surely a non-binding mediator (essentially) is not the final port of call if clubs are ignoring court decisions as they could pursue it judicially?

As I said clubs are already answerable to the Premier League and Football Association as those who make and enforce the rules and are subject to the laws of this country just like any other company. It's easy to argue that any industry could benefit from an Ombudsman to protect consumers but in reality looking at the other ombudsmen that exist does football really need one???

[Bolton Bill]

Because other ombudsmen protect lay individuals either from monopolies/oligopolies and/or from bodies from which they are particularly vulnerable (e.g. police, waterways, housing)

Going to watch top-tier football is an absolute luxury and not a god-given right like some people seem to think, and clubs are already regulated by the laws of the country and FA, FIFA, PL and UEFA regulations. In the absence of flagrant disregard for any due process by clubs then I don't really see the need for an ombudsman at all, never mind one with legally-binding power.

Clubs that are Flagrantly disregarding due process & the decisions of the courts of this country need to be answerable to an Ombudsman, who must have legally binding powers!!

FYI recently our club (Arsenal) & The Premier League have breached the terms of reference of the Football Ombudsman Scheme as mentioned in The Independent Football Ombudsman's Annual Report 2014/15 - It is a requirement of clubs & The Premier League to give reasons why they do not follow the Ombudsman's recommendations. This has not been done. Are rules & regulations only for supporters and NOT for clubs or the authorities??? This wrecks of Double Standards.

Please do correct me if I'm wrong and I didn't realise that there was a Football Ombudsman but surely a non-binding mediator (essentially) is not the final port of call if clubs are ignoring court decisions as they could pursue it judicially?

As I said clubs are already answerable to the Premier League and Football Association as those who make and enforce the rules and are subject to the laws of this country just like any other company. It's easy to argue that any industry could benefit from an Ombudsman to protect consumers but in reality looking at the other ombudsmen that exist does football really need one???

You stand corrected, there is an Independent Football Ombudsman http://www.theifo.co.uk/ - Whose unfortunately adjudications are not legally binding upon football clubs. Also the Ombudsman is the final port of call for supporters with grievances - as pointed out in these 2 articles by the Football Supporters Federation http://www.fsf.org.uk/blog/view/ifo-no- ... ns-faircop & http://www.fsf.org.uk/blog/view/the-ind ... or-purpose . To tackle a club like Arsenal FC judicially a supporter would need endless financial resources, as solicitors don't come cheap!

As I said in an earlier post both Arsenal & The Premier League have both breached the Ombudsman's terms of reference - See the IFO's Annual Report 2014/15 http://www.theifo.co.uk/ However there does not seem to be any consequences!

Therefore it is obvious that Football needs a legally binding Ombudsman............

[The Lamb]

The way Mick has been treated is an unmitigated disgrace.
How can someone have 'doubts' about his innocence?
He did nothing connected with football or Arsenal and was wrongly banned due to pressure exerted by police.
He had a brawl in a pub unconnected with football, which he admits, and now is banned from a football ground???????
How can that be right?

[Redarmy]

The way Mick has been treated is an unmitigated disgrace.
How can someone have 'doubts' about his innocence?
He did nothing connected with football or Arsenal and was wrongly banned due to pressure exerted by police.
He had a brawl in a pub unconnected with football, which he admits, and now is banned from a football ground???????
How can that be right?

simple truth is mate its not right......its a sick joke.......

[g88ner]

How can someone have 'doubts' about his innocence?
He did nothing connected with football or Arsenal and was wrongly banned due to pressure exerted by police.
He had a brawl in a pub unconnected with football, which he admits, and now is banned from a football ground???????
How can that be right?

Is that brawl the only time he's come to the attention of the law?

It's not for me to doubt or presume his innocence but I am curious why he's being "targeted" if it's an isolated incident with absolutely no previous whatsoever?

[northbank123]

How can someone have 'doubts' about his innocence?
He did nothing connected with football or Arsenal and was wrongly banned due to pressure exerted by police.
He had a brawl in a pub unconnected with football, which he admits, and now is banned from a football ground???????
How can that be right?

Is that brawl the only time he's come to the attention of the law?

It's not for me to doubt or presume his innocence but I am curious why he's being "targeted" if it's an isolated incident with absolutely no previous whatsoever?

Strange how football clubs and police seem to exclusively punish unfortunate upstanding members of society who merely find themselves caught in the wrong place at the wrong time.

[g88ner]

How can someone have 'doubts' about his innocence?
He did nothing connected with football or Arsenal and was wrongly banned due to pressure exerted by police.
He had a brawl in a pub unconnected with football, which he admits, and now is banned from a football ground???????
How can that be right?

Is that brawl the only time he's come to the attention of the law?

It's not for me to doubt or presume his innocence but I am curious why he's being "targeted" if it's an isolated incident with absolutely no previous whatsoever?

Strange how football clubs and police seem to exclusively punish unfortunate upstanding members of society who merely find themselves caught in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Yeah, I try and be neutral on things like this until I know the background. I just wonder if we're told the full story? - can anyone answer my question... has Mick had any previous dealings with the police or given Arsenal any reason to believe he's a troublemaker?

[Bolton Bill]

How can someone have 'doubts' about his innocence?
He did nothing connected with football or Arsenal and was wrongly banned due to pressure exerted by police.
He had a brawl in a pub unconnected with football, which he admits, and now is banned from a football ground???????
How can that be right?

Is that brawl the only time he's come to the attention of the law?

It's not for me to doubt or presume his innocence but I am curious why he's being "targeted" if it's an isolated incident with absolutely no previous whatsoever?

Strange how football clubs and police seem to exclusively punish unfortunate upstanding members of society who merely find themselves caught in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Yeah, I try and be neutral on things like this until I know the background. I just wonder if we're told the full story? - can anyone answer my question... has Mick had any previous dealings with the police or given Arsenal any reason to believe he's a troublemaker?

It's irrelevant if he has any previous as he received an "Arsenal Stadium" for something totally unconnected with either Arsenal or The Emirates Stadium. Tell me how that is fair? A corrupt WPC asked the club to ban him after a judge said no as the matter was unrelated to football, a point THE OMBUDSMAN agreed with having reviewed ALL THE EVIDENCE - Yet the club can ignore judges & Ombudsmen.

Graham Rix has previous for child sex offences yet is given a hero's welcome when returning to The Emirates VERY STRANGE maybe that is more acceptable to certain people than a mere pub brawl public order offence.......

[northbank123]

"Mere public order offence"