Charlton Athletic slammed for imposing social media behaviour contract upon fan
Charlton Athletic have courted a backlash after demanding a fan signs a 'social media behaviour contract' in order to receive his season ticket.
Charlton Athletic
A letter sent to a supporter from League One side has demanded he “refrains from posting derogatory or inflammatory comments on social media websites”.
The club have confirmed a fan, who has remained anonymous, was sent an 'Agreed Behavioural Contract' to delete his criticism of the club, this is despite him reportedly being a season ticket holder for 13 years.
The fan told the Daily Mail that the “club is being run by a dictator like in North Korea,” a statement that would have likely contravened the agreement had he signed it.
The letter reads: “As a club we have listened to and acted upon some of the concerns raised by the supporters during the closed season. We have identified however that certain comments placed on social media websites by yourself have been not particularly constructive.
“I need to advise you that the granting of your season ticket will be 'conditioned' and subject to you signing an 'Agreed Behavioral [sic] Contract' (ABC) which will request that you refrain from posting derogatory or inflammatory comments regarding the Club or people representing the club in the future on any social media websites, or carrying out any other form of behavior that could be deemed to be on an anti-social nature.”
The club have been embroiled in conflict with its fans ever since Belgian businessman Roland Duchâtelet took over in 2014, resulting in a relegation.
They issued a lengthy statement after the letter circulated online: “The club can confirm that they sent a letter to one supporter relating to their continued inappropriate behaviour towards members of staff on Charlton’s official social media accounts and foul and abusive language captured on stadium cameras.
"No other letters have been sent to supporters. A letter was sent to this individual as it was relating to a particular set of circumstances.”
The fan attended a meeting with the club and reportedly came to an agreement to delete aggressive tweets, for which he was granted his season ticket without having to sign the contract.