LANCASHIRE have apologised to former England coach David Lloyd after stewards mistakenly told him to leave the Members’ Bar at Old Trafford before Wednesday night’s Twenty20 international against India. A “livid” Lloyd, a life member of Lancashire and a well-known media personality, claimed in yesterday’s Daily Mail he had been manhandled and forcibly removed from the bar by stewards who believed he did not have the correct accreditation.
Lancashire apologised for the incident in a statement yesterday afternoon which read: “There has been a good deal of sensitivity about security for players in the last 12 months and particularly around the Indian team, but there are no excuses for what happened.”
He added: “Sadly, common sense didn’t prevail which unfortunately caused embarrassment to David and to the club.
“We have personally met with David to apologise and we are already thoroughly investigating the incident with the individuals concerned.
“We are clearly disappointed with what occurred on what was otherwise a very successful evening for Old Trafford.”
“I’m absolutely flipping livid,’ Lloyd had said. ‘I’m a life member and ex-captain of the club. I pointed out I was just looking at a few photos, and mentioned that I was in most of them.
“They asked me whether I was refusing to leave, and when I said I was going nowhere, two of them grabbed me by the arms.
“I said, ‘We’re in a stalemate here, because I’m not moving’. So they marched me a few paces before this other fellow steps in and tells me I’ve got two minutes to get out.
“It seems to be the only ground in the world where they go out of their way to be obstructive. You couldn’t make it up.” (PA Sport)