Portsmouth fan gets ban after entering ladies toilets and 'identifying' as woman
A well-known Portsmouth fan has been banned from the club's next two fixtures after entering the women's toilets at half-time of last Saturday's defeat to Sheffield Wednesday and claiming that he was transgender.
John Westwood, the tattooed-bookseller who is renowned for his bell ringing at Fratton Park, said that "no malice" was intended and he was "just having a laugh and a giggle" because it was "women's day."
Pompey had dedicated the fixture to the Her Game Too campaign, which attempts to raise awareness of sexism across the sport.
After being challenged by female supporters, police intervened and escorted the 59-year-old out of Fratton Park.
"I walked into the passageway before the toilets and didn’t go any further," Mr Westwood told local outlet The News.
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"This woman came out of the toilets and told me to get out, so I left. I was just having a laugh and a giggle. Given it was women’s day, I thought I would identify as a woman to show solidarity with them. There was no malice intended."
It is the fourth time he has been given a suspension this season but Portsmouth, who have not responded to a request for comment, have only given Westwood short bans from attending games.
He was previously punished for making a lewd gesture during a friendly against Coventry City, urinating against a wall when Pompey played away to Forest Green Rovers, and making another obscene gesture with his bell that was caught on camera at the end of last month’s draw with Barnsley.
Following this latest incident Mr Westwood has been told that he will not be allowed to attend tonight’s game away to Accrington Stanley and Saturday’s trip to Bristol Rovers, while some supporters are asking for him to be barred permanently.
Portstmouth supporter John Westwood pictured waving his bell.Portsmouth received a number of complaints from supporters who witnessed him entering the female toilets on Saturday. A Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary spokesperson confirmed that a man was removed from the ground at about 4pm.
Mr Westwood added to The News: "If I sing it’s a geezers club, I get told off, and if I identify as a woman, I also get told off. You’re not allowed to make light of anything anymore.
"Offence isn’t against the law and we’re all gonna offend someone at some point. That’s life and people have to get on with it.
"It seems to me now that minorities in this world are telling the majorities what they can and cannot think. I’m for equality but they cannot foist their ideas on people."
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