London Stadium Safety Advisory Group (LS_SAG) have denied claims that West Ham attempted to have balloons classed as missiles which is a criminal offence under the Football Offences Act 1991.
Responding to claims made by a West Ham fan site, Sheila Roberts, the chair of LS-SAG who works for Newham council told Claret and Hugh she was on annual leave for the last Stadium SAG but she asked those who were present for their view and for the relevant part of the draft notes to be examined.
Roberts says: “The issue of balloons being released onto the pitch during one game was raised – but in the context that the particular episode referred, that this did not cause disruption.
In a separate discussion, following a game and outside of the SAG, the potential for balloons to be considered a missile took place but the conclusion was that this is not the case. This discussion was relayed to the members of the SAG during the discussion regarding inflated balloons landing on the pitch. There was no challenge to this view that was expressed by any party.
The issue as to whether any object that enters the pitch during a game and that may potentially interfere with play is one for the referee to determine. I understand that during one game the referee did stop the game briefly due to the presence of two balloons during a throw-in and to allow the balloons to be dealt with.
I can confirm that no member of the SAG has approached the Stadium SAG in an attempt to have balloons classified as a missile.”