Blackburn have warned fans calling for the removal of Steve Kean that they will not be allowed to bring banners into Ewood Park on Saturday.
Protesters must wait until full-time whistle to stage demonstration
Blackburn have warned fans calling for the removal of Steve Kean that they will not be allowed to bring banners into Ewood Park on Saturday.
Protesters plan to demonstrate at a fourth consecutive home game this weekend, with Chelsea next up for Rovers.
Those unhappy with the current management team will not be allowed to display banners, though, until after the match.
Any supporters planning to take banners with them will be forced to hand them over to stewards prior to entering the ground and will be handed them back at the full-time whistle.
"Any banners that have to be confiscated due to them not being offered over in good faith will not be returned and personnel may be refused entry at that point," Blackburn's stadium/safety manager John Newsham wrote in an email sent to protest organisers.
"If any banners get into the ground and are displayed they will be removed by stewards and not returned."
Protest organisers said, after a meeting with the club and Lancashire Police, the decision was taken after Rovers claimed there may be a counter protest against the demonstration and they wanted to reduce the chances of conflict inside the ground.
Blow
"Not being able to have banners is a blow, but we take health and safety very seriously," Glen Mullen, one of the organisers, said in a statement.
"The protest group's conduct has been exemplary throughout the last couple of months and we wish all our demonstrations to be peaceful with clear messages.
"Although disappointed, we respect the club's decision to impose a banner ban in the interest of public safety.
"We have had no incidents of public order offences during any previous protests and have no wish to see any in the future.
"We appreciate the club and the police bringing to our attention that other protest groups may exist and may be looking to cause conflict on Saturday.
"This is something no-one wishes to see at Ewood Park, which has always been a club with impeccable supporter conduct."
Calls for Kean's removal as Blackburn boss have intensified following a lacklustre start to the season that has brought just one win in 10 games.
