Aberdeen pub Malones has said it is “saddened” after some Aberdeen football fans called for a boycott of the bar claiming they were blocked from entering on Sunday.
As crowds of football fans made their descent down King Street after the game on Sunday, many Dons fans might have stopped for a pint.
Especially when the score was 3 – 1 to Celtic.
But when Graham Mutch, Jim Fraser and Gary Mair went to enter Malones Irish Bar on Shiprow, they said they were shocked to be stopped at the door.
They claim they were told it was a Celtic pub.
But a representative for Malones said all fans were welcome on the day. They were simply “de-escalating a situation” at the time and had barred entry to any new customers for a short period.
Dons fans claim they were not able to get into Malones after defeat
Despite not wearing Aberdeen FC colours, the Aberdeen fans visiting the pub claim staff said they do not allow fans to mix.
The friends were outraged to be barred from the pub with Mr Mutch later posting online.
He stated: “So walking back from game and going for a beer before the bus home.
“Stopped from going into Malones in Shiprow by woman on the door as although we weren’t wearing colours, it’s a ‘Celtic pub’ and they don’t let fans mix.
“Ah, right so who knew? You’ve been taking our money for long enough but no more. Please share and boycott fellow Dandies.”
The post has been shared by other supporters online with many quick to voice similar opinions.
Stops ‘muppets’ trying to ‘start scraps’
However, others have been quick to come to the venue’s defence.
Greg Mackie posted online suggesting it had probably been done to avoid conflict.
He stated: “What about when Aberdeen fans go to away games and drink in pubs in other cities?
“There would be uproar if the Aberdeen fans couldn’t drink in any pubs in Glasgow or Edinburgh before games.
“Celtic fans have to drink somewhere and to avoid conflict I can understand why Malones decided to not let Aberdeen fans in for the game today.
“Boycotting the pub isn’t good for anyone here.”
Chris Dunn from Aberdeen posted: “Every away game Aberdeen FC go to, we seem to think we have a divine right to do whatever we want, but as soon as it happens at our city, there’s an uproar.
“People have to drink somewhere, better to have them all in one place than have muppets trying to start scraps all over the town. Plenty dons bars in the city centre, let’s not start turning into OF [Old Firm] fans.”
All fans were welcome for Sunday’s game
Malones said both team’s fans were welcomed at the pub for Sunday’s match.
However, when staff were busy de-escalating a situation inside the venue, security barred entry to any new customers for a short period – something that is their standard practice.
They said if fans had returned slightly later on, they would have been given entry.
Keith Martin who has overseen the pub since it first opened in 2009 said were “very saddened” by how the situation had been interpreted online.
He said: “Yesterday during the Aberdeen v Celtic game we welcomed both Aberdeen and Celtic fans into the venue to enjoy the game for a midday kick off at Pittodrie.
“We had a mix of Aberdeen and Celtic fans in during and after the match.
“Since 2009 it has been a standard practice for the security company we use to keep our staff and customers safe by stopping entry to the venue while they are de-escalating a situation inside the venue.
“This is simply what happened yesterday. One of the door stewards didn’t allow people in while her colleagues were inside dealing with a situation.
“If the fans had returned 20 mins later when security had de-escalated the situation inside they would have been welcomed in as many Don’s fans were.
“We are very disappointed and saddened that people are upset and how through social media this has been interpreted.
“We were just trying to keep everyone safe as we have been doing since the day we opened our doors on the 11th March 2009.”
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