A West Ham supporter has expressed his surprise after several stewards at the Olympic Stadium were heard mocking a fellow supporter and his son.
Hammers fan Tommy Wathen, blogging for EssexLive revealed how he was disgusted to hear a group of stewards mock the fans during the West Ham v Hull clash last weekend."A man and his young son tried to access a public walkway via a set of stairs next to the club shop which was blocked off by around 10-12 stewards," wrote Wathen. "Despite telling the stewards it's a public pathway, the man and boy moved on and went a different way.
"I was then completely shocked to hear the stewards mocking the supporters by imitating what they were saying in stupid voices, whilst giggling between themselves.
"The head steward present must've heard it as I was twice the distance away and I heard it crystal clear, but nothing was said and they all continued with their duties.
"I couldn't believe that, after all the negative press and problems that the London Stadium stewards have had with supporters, they were mocking fans and thinking it's funny. I don't go to work and mock people that I deal with on a daily basis – so why should they?"
Wathen's experience is the latest in a long line of complaints aimed at the stewards employed by the stadium operators, LS185.
Just last week two season tickets holders, who had previously been banned from the venue having been accused of being abusive towards stadium staff (including making comments of a racist nature) were handed their season tickets back.
The bans were rescinded after video evidence, requested by the supporters' legal team failed to support the versions of events supplied by the steward/s in question.
Despite registering a complaint with both West Ham United and the London Stadium, Wathen is yet to receive a reply from either. "I've reported my experience to both who were contacted for a response, but neither decided to make a public comment at the point," he added.
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