Source: REUTERS/Andrew Couldridge
[Saba Sports News] According to British media reports, English fifth-tier team Yeovil recently banned a fan from attending matches for two years due to criticism on social media, sparking controversy. A fan named Jonathan Hooper shared a letter from the club sent to him on Friday. The letter informed him that his comments on social media “caused serious disruption and created an environment detrimental to the club’s values and reputation,” resulting in a two-year ban. The letter specifically referenced Hooper’s Twitter account, which is similar to various fan accounts on Twitter. In Hooper’s account bio, he stated that he primarily posts data analysis about Yeovil and the National League. Yeovil was acquired in May 2023 by local businessman Martin Hailier, and Hooper’s recent focus has been on the club’s financial situation. The club’s accounts published on Friday revealed that they lost nearly £2.8 million last season in the National League. Hailier has previously clashed with fans online, and his use of private rights to ban dissenters has also raised controversy.