AZ Alkmaar says steward was RIGHT to confiscate and throw away tearful young fan’s banner… but reveals his role in making amends

AZ Alkmaar have revealed their stewards were right to confiscate and throw away a crying Aston Villa fan’s sign asking for Moussa Diaby’s shirt – in accordance with stadium rules.

Before Villa played AZ Alkmaar in the Europa Conference League, a young fan hung a beautifully hand-made sign near the touchline asking for the France winger’s shirt.

Due to a new rule in Dutch football that prohibits fans in stadiums from bringing signs asking players for jerseys, a steward approached the boy and took the banner away from him.

Speak with MailsportAZ Alkmaar confirmed that the folder followed correct protocol when removing the banner.

But the club also said that the same person then asked Aston Villa if Diaby could meet the boy after the game to give him his jersey – which he did.

The young fan’s bright, homemade banner was placed near the touchline, demanding that he give him his jersey

However, due to a new rule in Dutch football, the steward took the banner and threw it away

Fans on social media described the steward’s treatment of the banner as completely “unnecessary”.

One person wrote down

Another added: “It is unnecessary for the stewards to put it in the bin.”

However, AZ Alkmaar revealed that the steward more than made up for it after ensuring the young fan got his hero’s jersey.

The footage shows the boy with a beaming smile as the French player hugs him and offers him his jersey during regular time. The couple then smiles and poses for a photo.

After the video of the boy with Diaby was released, fans were thrilled as one said: “I love this!” Another also added: “Brilliant! Well done Villa.”

Diaby has made a name for himself among fans with his brilliant play on the field since his move from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer and will continue to do so.

To add to Villa fans’ joy, their side celebrated a remarkable result against the Dutch side on Thursday evening as they won 4-1 to finish second in their group.

However, the young fan’s evening wasn’t all bad as he finally met Moussa Diaby

The Aston Villa attacker made sure the fans’ evening wasn’t ruined after the excellent 4-1 win

Ollie Watkins continued his red-hot form for Villa in a statement about the Europa Conference League in the Netherlands.

The striker scored his tenth goal of the season on Thursday and his fourth in Europe this season.

Leon Bailey and Youri Tielemans – his first for Villa – put them under control after less than 25 minutes at the AZ Stadium.

Vangelis Pavlidis missed the hosts’ best chances but Watkins and John McGinn added goals after the break in Holland before Ibrahim Sadiq scored a consolation goal.

It was the second time in two games that Villa scored four goals following their 4-1 Premier League win over West Ham on Sunday.

Unai Emery celebrated his anniversary in charge on Tuesday and the victory underlines the progress made by his side, who were in 14th place and three points above the relegation zone 12 months ago.

Villa host Alkmaar in two weeks and know a win would give them a huge leap into the knockout stages, especially after their opening 3-2 defeat at Legia Warsaw in September.