Concern in the west after blockage at emergency exit

Western Bureau

Concern is being expressed in the west after an emergency exit was blocked by unruly fans for more than 20 minutes during last Saturday's ISSA/WATA daCosta Cup match between hosts Frome Technical High School and Rusea's High School at the Frome Sports Complex.

While rain delayed the start of the match, there was a stabbing incident near the gate. The police swiftly handled the matter but were faced with a long delay in the emergency exit driveway as they attempted to take the injured man to the hospital.

The Frome blockage occurred on the same day Charlemont High's goalkeeper had to be rushed to hospital after he collapsed on the field during their daCosta Cup game with Dinthill, and there are now calls for emergency exits to be kept completely clear at schoolboy football matches.

When asked about Saturday's unfortunate situation, principal of Frome Technical Norman Allen told STAR Sports that the school should not be blamed as they did all that they could and it's the police's job to secure and keep order at games.

"We informed the police in writing to ensure that they are present. We also went and got additional private security to cover the ground. So we did all that we could to secure the place," Allen, who is also the chairman of daCosta Cup Group B, said.

"We can't cover public space. If it is so that a stabbing took place on the outside, we can't cover that area but we eventually got the place (emergency exit) clear," he added.

Superintendent Gary McKenzie, commanding officer for Westmoreland police, said blame cannot be placed on the police whose responsibility is crowd control at a match where there were more than 3,000 spectators.

"To say it was the police's fault is something that I can't agree with because the police who were there ensured that general security was maintained. The area was not cordoned off, which would be the responsibility of the school and organisers," McKenzie said.

"You have both school security and the police. The police responsibility is to ensure the match goes on without any violent incidents and crowd control," he said.