Sri Lanka fan hits out at ‘heavy handed’ Eden Park security

A Sri Lankan cricket fan booted out of yesterday’s Eden Park Twenty20 match against New Zealand has described security and police behaviour as “unprofessional” and “heavy handed”.

Sahan Abeywardena told ONE News police grabbed his neck and dragged him out of the stadium, after he was sitting in the aisle at the bottom of the stairs.

“When [Angelo] Mathews hit a boundary, I jumped up and jarred my knee. I sat on the stairs [in the aisle], then got up and sat on my seat. Next thing, two security guards lift me up from my seat and say ‘we’re taking you out’.”

“I said I’ll come up, don’t manhandle me, but they just kept dragging me.”

Abeywardena says security guards were targeting his group after earlier confiscating their drums.

A security guard pushed him aside, and grabbed his friend with a drum.

“They pulled the [drum] strap, broke it, took him outside, grabbed him from the collar and pulled him out. They said we illegally smuggled the drums in. I said, ‘how can you illegally smuggle in a big drum?’ All we were doing there is enjoying ourselves, playing drums, singing and dancing. We weren’t causing trouble with any spectators or players.”

Despite having “a few beers” before the game, Abeywardena said he had no alcohol inside Eden Park. “I asked one of the security guards ‘why are you doing it, we’re here to enjoy cricket?’ She goes ‘I don’t like cricket!’”

Eden Park would not comment specifically on the eviction, but said “seven people were removed from the ground on the basis of alcohol management and misconduct issues and for reasons of safety”.

“Eden Park reserves the right to ask patrons to leave if they are consuming alcohol not purchased at the ground or are intoxicated,” CEO Guy Ngata said in a statement.

A number of fans have conveyed to ONE News their dismay at the incident.

Ruby Lawrence says her family was sitting just across the aisle from the Sri Lankans.

“We were thoroughly enjoying the enthusiasm. They were excitedly playing their drums while singing and chanting and getting the crowd around them excited as well. After the Sri Lankans were evicted the vibe of the event was low.”

While another fan says they were “extremely argumentative”, Abeywardena denies he’s a troublemaker.

“We love going to the cricket. Are they going to do the same thing when the Barmy Army brings their trumpets? When the Carribeans come here and play their drums? Or is it just a one-off thing for the Sri Lankans?”