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Former Labour leader Neil Kinnock kicked out of Premier League match between Fulham and Cardiff for wild celebrations

 

Tom Mendelsohn
Tuesday 01 October 2013 15:55 BST
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Lifelong Cardiff fan Neil Kinnock
Lifelong Cardiff fan Neil Kinnock (PA)

Neil Kinnock was told to leave his seat during a Premier League football match last weekend, for 'upsetting' home fans with overly enthusiastic goal celebrations.

The 71-year-old former leader of the Labour Party, who is a lifelong fan of Cardiff City, was overjoyed to see his beloved team defeat Fulham in an away match at Craven Cottage in west London last weekend.

His seat was in a home stand, however, and, according to the club, his exuberant celebrations when the Bluebirds took a 12th-minute lead annoyed Fulham fans near him so much that stewards had to move him.

Club spokeswoman Sarah Brookes said the politician's celebrations brought angry responses from the home crowd.

She said: "Mr Kinnock was located in the home area celebrating a goal and was asked very politely by one of the stewards if he would like to sit with the away fans.

"We would do that with any fan who celebrates a goal because the home area is for home fans.

"You are sold a ticket to go in the correct area. It is in the interests of all fans so everyone can enjoy supporting their team.

"I don't know how he got the tickets."

Lord Kinnock, who is well used to raucous behaviour after a life in Parliament, is believed to have been sitting with his grandchildren when they were moved from the Ernie Clay stand to a designated away area.

But he was not the only Cardiff fan sitting with Fulham fans.

Another supporter wrote on a forum: "Pleased to see Mr Kinnock sitting two rows in front of me in the Ernie Clay stand yesterday.

"I am not sure if Neil has as much experience as me of sitting with the home fans but his celebration of our first goal led to him being escorted from the stand.

"I however managed to remain undetected until Jordon banged in number two."

Cardiff went on to win the game 2-1.

His office in London was unavailable today but his spokeswoman Jane Enright told the London Evening Standard it was just coincidence he and his grandchildren were moved just after Cardiff scored.

Lord Kinnock led the Labour Party between 1983 and 1992, before being made the European Union's Transport Commissioner and Vice-President of the European Commission from 1999 to 2004.

In 2005 he was elevated to the peerage, becoming Baron Kinnock of Bedwellty.

In May Lord Kinnock celebrated Cardiff's promotion to the Premier League for the first time by drinking with manager Malky Mackay, captain Mark Hudson and owner Vincent Tan in Parliament.

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