Cardiff question Swansea security after Ollie Tanner is injured in celebrations

Posted Monday, August 26, 2024 by PA

Cardiff questioned Swansea’s security arrangements after Ollie Tanner suffered a cut leg when an advertising board fell on him amid goal celebrations in the South Wales derby.

Tanner set up fellow substitute Callum Robinson’s 79th-minute equaliser in the 1-1 draw, but the winger was injured during the ensuing celebrations as Cardiff fans behind the goal ran towards the players and the hoarding gave way.

The incident came 24 hours after a ball boy was trapped under an advertising board after fans spilled on to the Crystal Palace pitch during West Ham’s 2-0 win and the youngster had to be rescued by Hammers pair Jarrod Bowen and Tomas Soucek.

Cardiff question Swansea security after Ollie Tanner is injured in celebrations — Ollie Tanner gets his foot injured from it being trapped under an advertising board at Swansea (David Davies/PA)

Cardiff first-team coach Omer Riza, who was deputising for Erol Bulut on post-match media duties after the Bluebirds boss was sent off in stoppage time, said: “You’re looking around and saying, ‘Potentially should there be more security around the pitch?’

“So fans can’t come towards the advertisement signs. That’s a heavy sign that fell down there and Ollie’s got a big cut on his leg.

“That could be the start of the whole situation that occurred after (Bulut’s red card).

“He’s OK, he continued and carried on but he had to go off the pitch for 30 seconds and that could have hurt us in that period. All things we can look at to improve.”

Swansea boss Luke Williams believes safety around the perimeter of pitches will be looked into following the weekend’s events.

🗣️ "I''ll take it [the knock] if it means we score a goal. When you come on you want to make a change.
"I thought we both did that."#CityAsOne
— Cardiff City FC (@CardiffCityFC) August 25, 2024

“It’s something that has to be looked at by security officers of all clubs because there was an incident at the West Ham game as well,” said Williams.

“Whenever you go down a road and it has speed bumps it means there was an accident, and when there are speed cameras it means people are driving too fast.

“So I guess there will be a reaction to this now by the authorities and safety officers who will decide what’s best.”

Williams also added on the board collapsing: “I’m also happy that it goes over and you don’t hit something solid.

“There was a boy at Bath City (Alex Fletcher) who hit a brick wall around the edge of the pitch and ended in hospital with a serious head injury. The fact that it goes over is safer.”

Bulut was sent off after tangling with Swansea substitute Kyle Naughton in the fifth of seven minutes added on at the end of the game.

Riza said: “We think it’s a bit harsh. He was pulled on the pitch by Naughton.

“To get a red card there is quite harsh, and I think the way he is talking, he will appeal. He was pulled on to the pitch and the player put his hands on him.”

Swansea had led through Liam Cullen’s 10th-minute tap-in and were on course to make it six wins in seven derby games.

Williams said: “It’s a changing room like we’ve lost. We didn’t continue to control the game properly and put pressure on Cardiff.”