Wellington Phoenix fans' shirts off furore brings about rule change at Suncorp Stadium


CAMERON BURNELL/FAIRFAX NZ

The Wellington Phoenix's Yellow Fever supporters group partake in their traditional shirts off celebration in 2014.

Suncorp Stadium's management have relaxed their rules around disrobing after causing a furore among Wellington Phoenix fans.

A small contingent of travelling Yellow Fever fans took their shirts off after 80 minutes of their team's 2-1 win over Brisbane Roar on Saturday night, as is the fans' tradition when their team is leading with 10 minutes to go.

But they were told by security that removing their shirts went against the stadium's conditions of entry. They were told to put their shirts back on or leave the stadium.


GETTY IMAGES

The Wellington Phoenix celebrate Roy Krishna's winning goal against the Brisbane Roar on Saturday night.

One fan refused and left the stadium, while a Roar fan was told to leave after vociferously defending his Phoenix counterparts.

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Roar managing director Mark Kingsman was quick to jump in and try to ascertain what had happened. By Sunday, he had been successful in bringing about a change in policy, tweeting that they were able to "have the shirt rule changed for Roar games".


GETTY IMAGES

Brisbane Roar fans show their support for their side on Saturday night.


The move came after a social media outcry, with many seeing the move by stadium security as over-zealous. One person had pointed out Western Sydney Wanderers fans had been able to remove their shirts without punishment.




Suncorp's conditions of entry state that "patrons who are, in the opinion of stadium management, offensively attired or whose attire may cause a hazard or compromise safety may also be refused entry into the stadium".

It was the first time Phoenix fans have had the chance to take their shirts off at the stadium. The first, and only, Phoenix win at the venue over the past 10 years was also a 2-1 triumph, in March 2015, but that match was called off after 73 minutes due to torrential rain.

http://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/a-league/89817215/wellington-phoenix-fans-booted-from-suncorp-stadium-after-taking-shirts-off-in-traditional-celebration

For the safety of patrons, put your shirts back on. Laughably stupid 

@ Marconi

I can see why if thats what some poor kids had to see. Glad i'm gay.

@gay

Lol not my type.

Seriously? I've never seen a better looking bloke..... well except for the odd Thai lady boy :)

If the Nix don't like it, they can go play in their own league with their own rules.

Isn't it fun to laugh at people based on their appearance!

@ Ryan



You can't be that pasty in Qld and not expect to be given shit.

Still would. 

Does NZ have gyms? I say no based on the above pictures.

As for WSW not being pulled up on it....
It's not hard to see that the security probably thought they still had shirts on considering most WSW fans stereotypically look like this

Either born with or without, no training hangers like that. Play on IMO

Wet Globes test required