Skip to content

Vlogger, 14, 'traumatised' by Chelsea steward row

News imageBBC Max Hayes Nottingham Forest ChelseaBBC
Max Hayes said the steward was "very aggressive"

A teenage boy says a football steward "man-handled" him as he filmed outside Chelsea's ground, leaving him traumatised.

Max Hayes, 14, a YouTube vlogger, was attending Nottingham Forest's FA Cup third-round tie on Saturday.

He said he had his bag confiscated, with police saying there was "no point" in reporting the incident.

A spokesman for Chelsea said: "We are aware of the complaint and are looking into it."

Max said he wanted an apology from Chelsea.

News imageMax Hayes Max Hayes Nottingham Forest ChelseaMax Hayes
Max Hayes presents videos on his YouTube channel from Nottingham Forest matches

Forest fan Max, from Staffordshire, was attending the match with his 18-year-old brother Alex and a friend, and was filming outside the ground for his award-winning YouTube channel.

He said he was dragged "by the scruff of my neck" by the "very aggressive" steward and taken to a security room inside the stadium.

Max said: "It just really upset me, and then I asked him the question, 'Do you enjoy doing this for fun?', and he replied, 'Yes I do', and that was just unbelievable.

"I've been to so many other grounds and I've never had a problem filming."

Allow X content?

This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read  and  before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

Allow X content?

This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read  and  before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
News imagePresentational white space

Max said a security officer confiscated his bag and recording equipment before letting the three fans into the match.

When they tried to report it to police an officer told them there was "no point" as they would miss the game.

The Hayes family said they were considering making a formal complaint to the Metropolitan Police over the incident.

News imageMax Hayes Nottingham Forest Chelsea
Max marks each new football ground he visits on a map, with Stamford Bridge the 24th stadium he has filmed at

Max has been supported by other fans and broadcasters on social media, including BBC Radio 5 live presenter Colin Murray.

Allow X content?

This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read  and  before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

Allow X content?

This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read  and  before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
News imagePresentational white space

The Metropolitan Police said stewards "have an important role in stadium safety", but any action "must be appropriate and proportionate".

The Chelsea Supporters' Trust said in a statement: "We would like Max to know that Chelsea supporters are very disappointed to read his account of what happened and would like to offer heartfelt apologies to him on behalf of all of the decent and fair-minded followers of our club."

The match ended in a 2-0 victory for Chelsea.

News imagePresentational grey line

Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, on Twitter, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk.