Pyrotechnics: Are pyrotechnic displays becoming dangerous after a young boy suffers from an asthma attack

Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:’Wss0PSnOQa5IWN74qh6a0w’,sig:’9VleOX4h2vvFqFcsB2rwzXOsRoE97POwU0H0W4Ak_F8=’,w:’594px’,h:’396px’,items:’1235312794′,caption: true ,tld:’co.uk’,is360: false })});

A young boy suffers from an asthma attack at a Non-League match after away fans set off a pyrotechnic display.

Once again football hits the headlines for all the wrong reasons after a young boy was injured during a recent National League North encounter between Chester City and AFC Telford at the Deva Stadium.

The injuries, although not life-threatening, resulted in the boy receiving medical assistance after suffering an asthma attack due to smoke inhalation caused by flares that were set off due to Brendon Daniels equalising for AFC Telford.

Recently, a safe standing area at Stamford Bridge was introduced as Chelsea entertained Liverpool in a Premier League match, almost 33 years after the fateful Hillsborough disaster which claimed the lives of 97 Reds fans after overcrowding in the Leppings Lane End during the 1989 FA Cup Semi-Final.

This of course led to the introduction of all-seater stadiums in England’s top-flight after the Lord Justice Taylor’s Report. It is also a well-known fact that many of these standing areas house the football fanatics known as ultras.

Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:’_-rzgTTJQ3xX4q4Trp0BWw’,sig:’7hvqKvR9amp5_O9zRMn-0Uytkmwvxsnk_2DZ7Su3vLU=’,w:’594px’,h:’402px’,items:’1236372220′,caption: true ,tld:’co.uk’,is360: false })});

Some of these ultra-organisations are extremely political and are well known for huge displays at football matches, with nearly all including some kind of a pyrotechnic display.

One of the concerns raised by the police in regards to the safe standing section at Stamford Bridge is the easy access home fans may have to the away section of fans and the fear of uncontrolled behaviour by some of the club’s notorious hooligan element.

However, this is nothing compared to the views shared by Cheshire Police Chief Constable Mark Roberts who went on to suggest “crowds being able to stand may increase in the risk of missiles and other objects being thrown towards not only players and officials of opposing teams but also the travelling fans.”

In addition to this, Roberts went on to say that the safe standing could “engage in hate chanting, racism and of course the high risk of alcohol and drugs including cocaine being smuggled into the stadium.”

Also, in many cases, fans can easily migrate to other sections of the stadium which increases the risk of overloading and the possibility of crushing.

Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:’eY8J6xtHQEdX6Q3ok524nA’,sig:’EIE7RmMMhbaUCsw7ZeC-yNnRqvEuu_IPdHsiEGnAKxc=’,w:’594px’,h:’392px’,items:’1362994081′,caption: true ,tld:’co.uk’,is360: false })});

Many also share his view regarding these standing sections and the overwhelming affiliation to a section of fans that have become exclusionary. The sheer fear of this could drive away young families from stadium’s, something many clubs have strived to promote over the last 20 years with the introduction of family-friendly areas, and of course, the increased fear of injury during pyrotechnic displays.

Pyrotechnics have become a regular occurrence within football stadiums across European league clubs many of whom encourage it, and in certain environments, support the pyrotechnic displays of which there have been many that have looked.

However, let us not forget these are illegal and extremely dangerous. What happened at Chester City is one of many highlighted incidents where fans or players have suffered injury after the release of pyrotechnics in confined spaces.

Some pyrotechnics incredibly can reach temperatures of 1600 degrees Celsius, the melting point of steel, and will continue to burn even when discarded. With such high temperatures, it is only a matter of time before we actually see more life-threatening injuries and the toxic substances they release can lead to respiratory failure and other breathing difficulties as witnessed at Chester.

Let us not forget there have been fatalities caused directly by flares and/or smoke grenades.

One such incident occurred when Guillem Lazaro, a 13-year-old Spanish boy, was killed in March 1992 by a flare that struck him in the chest at Espanyol’s old Sarria Stadium in Barcelona during his first-ever visit to a football match.

Other reported incidents where pyrotechnics have led to fatalities include the death of a 14-year-old boy from a flare allegedly launched by Corinthians fans during a South American Copa Libertadores match in 2013.

Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:’NHjiWTHJSONO9OGtVT4wlA’,sig:’U9-uKJB4M95Toea5rK30G01__bK1xql2MFaU5l20lI0=’,w:’594px’,h:’389px’,items:’1363663308′,caption: true ,tld:’co.uk’,is360: false })});

There are also positives in terms of the atmosphere, the theatre and togetherness, joyful singing and the colourful banners and flags you often see. These certainly contribute to the fan experience, and no doubt some will argue as a spectator sport, pyrotechnics add to the atmosphere.

Speaking to Jay, an older West Ham United fan, he was keen to point out the different cultures we live in today.

“It’s not something that was present in my time, and those like me who stood on the terraces in the 1970s and 1980s would agree with me. In fairness, pyrotechnics were mainly reserved for bonfire night.”

He was keen to also point out the dangers associated with flares.

“Do I see the danger and risk associated with these displays at football, absolutely. However, I would say it’s more of a cultural/generational thing. Some cultures display this behaviour very well but I just don’t see it having any relevance in British football stadiums.”

Prost International’s Ben Dixon was keen to point out that when it comes to safe standing, he believes it would add to the spectator value of the game.

He pointed out that when he attends Huddersfield Town games he would regularly “sit with the Cow Shed fans groups and love it.”

In addition to that, he added that “it brings something completely different to games”, and in his opinion, “makes them better as a spectator sport.”

Ben, of course, attends games on a regular basis as a reporter for Prost International and states “when thinking about safe standing within the grounds, I believe it could work.”

I was keen for Ben to elaborate further about how this can work and he went on to say that “safe standing could easily work.”

He did say however that “as long as it’s trialled in advance and the rules are strict” then it should go ahead. On the topic of pyrotechnics, Ben explained that he was a “massive fan of some of the European grounds and their displays with pyrotechnics” and he stated that when done correctly and safely “they look brilliant”, a view shared by many supporters.

There is a massive opportunity to improve the matchday experience for fans in the UK.  It can look incredible, and if done safely and under the strict guidance of the club, it could be a regular feature.

However, speaking to Richard Green, the current press officer at Isthmian League club Cray Valley PM FC, he had a more reserved view on pyrotechnics.

“My history with pyrotechnics at football matches go back to the days when Simon Jordan owned Crystal Palace.”

The South London club based at Selhurst Park are well known for their excitable fan base, and under Simon Jordan ownership, one of the “Gimmicks” introduced was an enormous boom as the team emerged from the tunnel followed by fireworks from the top of the Holmesdale Road End.

Richard went on to say, that if it is organised “by the club in a safe and controlled environment” then it enhances the pre-match build-up and matchday experience for everyone.

Looking at the use of flares and smoke grenades by supporters’ groups, Richard had a completely different opinion stating he had experienced their use by fans groups and regards them as “dangerous evil” and adds nothing but “fear and discomfort to those all around.”

It is clear there is much to be debated regarding safe seating within football stadiums and whether or not this will evolve across English top-flight stadiums.

However, with clubs like Liverpool and Manchester United already looking into it, this could become inevitable as supporters’ groups pressure them into acceptance.

The fear surrounding pyrotechnics is clear for everyone to see from groundhoppers filming lower league clubs to the elite and well-organised supporters’ groups in eastern Europe and South America. It is infectious and dangerous which makes it appealing to the younger generation of football fans ad why it is a regular feature in football nowadays.

Follow us on Twitter @ProstInt

[columns]
[column size=”1/2″][blog type=”timeline” posts=”10″ cats=”117″ heading=”English Football” heading_type=”timeline” /][/column]
[column size=”1/2″][blog type=”timeline” posts=”10″ cats=”1072″ heading=”News” heading_type=”timeline” /][/column]
[/columns]