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Council forced to apologise after telling ‘intimidating’ football fans they were unwelcome

A Lancashire council has apologised after sending a letter that stated football fans “will no longer be welcome” in the town centre for daytime matches.

In a letter sent to Sheffield United FC this week, Chorley Council said football fans who travel to the town for away matches would not be welcome due to the impact it has on town centre businesses.

Chorley also noted that visiting football fans are congregating outside of pubs and bars in the heart of the town centre which, the council argued, can be “intimidating and a concern for residents.”

Football fans being told they’re not welcome in pubs is one thing but to be told formally by a Council they’re not welcome in a whole town?!  Wow! I’m genuinely speechless at this. #bwfc #brfc #bfc #pnefc #wafc pic.twitter.com/YV8LEo6Ljt

— FSF Faircop (@FSF_FairCop) August 15, 2018

In a statement today, however, Chorley backtracked and said this was not the case and football fans are welcome in the town, alongside issuing an apology for the comment.

The Lancashire district council claimed that the letter was sent on behalf of the town team, which is made up of representatives from across the town centre, and was in response to concerns that unruly football fans are putting people off shopping in Chorley.

A letter circulated to football clubs has led fans to feel they are not welcome in Chorley - that's not the case - we're sorry that's the impression the letter may have given and here's more to explain https://t.co/GXPKzvlB0o

— Chorley Council (@ChorleyCouncil) August 15, 2018

“We do welcome football fans and the vast majority are extremely well behaved, add to the atmosphere and support our local businesses,” the statement said.

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Image credit: Ohmega1982, iStock