Roger Wade, the founder of Boxpark, has been banned from Brighton and Hove Albion’s football ground just for wearing a shirt with the word “Palestine” emblazoned across the chest.
Brighton ban: Roger Wade will have to watch the next five Brighton home games in Boozepark
Wade’s complaint about his treatment – he says he’s been a Brighton season ticket-holder for 10 years – comes as the Metropolitan Police confirmed today that 67 people have been charged “for showing support for the proscribed group Palestine Action”, under Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000.
Wade’s football shirt carried no such slogans, just the name of the besieged state.
A club official who led the millionaire entrepreneur away from his seat in corporate hospitality could provide no explanation for Wade’s removal, as shown in a video posted on Mr Boxpark’s LinkedIn profile.
“Unless you’ve got a problem with me wearing a Palestine football shirt, in support of the 50,000 innocent women and children who have been killed, and Brighton and Hove have an official problem with that, then I can see no reason why I cannot go to my pitch… seat,” Wade says to the club official in the video clip.
Wade was in a posh section of the AmEx Stadium where the wearing of all football colours, even Brighton’s, are not allowed.
Wade founded Boxpark, first in Shoreditch, then expanded to East Croydon, where his firm was helped by a chunky £3million loan from Croydon Council (all now repaid, iC understands). Back in those days, Brighton fan Wade had no problem appearing on the pitch at Selhurst Park for a photo-op with Fulham-supporting council leader Tony Newman (draped in a Palace scarf).
Getting shirty: Wade back in his Boxpark glory days with Fulham supporter and disgraced council leader Tony Newman
This was around the time that Wade was threatening to sue this website for reporting that… errr… his company was intending to increase the rents charged to tenant traders.
Wade has since relinquished control over the Boozepark business, which has made its name in the throwing into the air of thousands of gallons of weak lager at screenings of football matches, and now chairs capital firm Boxfund.
Brighton have banned Wade for five home games.
“I’ve been banned from Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club for wearing a Palestine football shirt!” Wade said.
“I’ve been a season ticket-holder at Brighton for nearly 10 years. Last week, I was banned for five matches simply for wearing an official Palestine football shirt at the Fulham game.
“I took off my jacket on the way to my seat. Underneath was a Palestine football shirt, no slogans, no politics, just the word Palestine. At half-time, stewards ask me to leave the hospitality area, with no explanation.
Boozepark: Wade’s former business is now a temple to the spilling of gallons of lager in the name of football
“I refused and went back to my seat. I filed a formal complaint. Instead of a response, I was issued with a ban letter. I was banned for not following stewards’ request.”
I’ve been a season ticket holder at Brighton for nearly 10 years. Last week, I was banned for five matches simply for wearing an official Palestine football shirt at the Fulham game.”
Wade says that, “This is not just about me. It’s about what football stands for.”
Wade points out that at the recent UEFA Super Cup, Europe’s football governing body displayed a banner in support of Palestinians: “Stop Killing Civilians. Stop Killing Children”. Israel is a member national federation of UEFA.
“The Premier League encourages us to stand up against racism, but what about standing against the killing of 50,000 civilians in Gaza, mostly women and children?” Wade asked.
“This is blatant discrimination. Football should be about inclusion, diversity and solidarity, not silencing fans for peacefully showing who they stand with.”
Read more: Record number of old people arrested at Palestine Action demo
Read more: Kind words but no action: how Croydon MP responds on Gaza
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Roger deserved to get banned for conning Croydon Council out of millions alone. How much is CC still wasting on Boozepark every year ? £250k in grants and subsidies, yet Boxpark Croydon is still making losses according to Companies House.
I believe that such payments ended after the financial year 2021/22. Roger Wade did not con Croydon Council out of millions. Tony Newman happily stuck his hand in our pockets and gave Boxpark what they wanted
Mr Wade should be fully aware of why Brighton and Hove Albion might take a strong line on “Palestine” being raised at the AMEX.
Good! We live in England, not Palestine.
Would you chuck someone out wearing a Wales t-shirt?
Absolutely. Ungrateful lot of people
Boo! We live in England, not Israel
Don’t know or care about this guy, but we are now in a country where freedom of speech is about as endangered as it was in Germany shortly before WW2, yet few care. It hurts that this is under a Labour Government, which until recently I would have voted for. Yes, Farage would be worse, but Starmer is paving the way. Opps, sorry officer!
With Roger we stand.
Deliberately worn to get a reaction – well, he got one!
Only been a Brighton fan for 10 years before that he supported Chelsea
Not a problem with this along as he can name Palestine’s starting 11 then fair enough.