Security at Eden Park's T20 cricket match in Auckland has faced accusations of ejecting a group of Sri Lankan fans from the stadium for playing the drums.
Fans say they were allowed into the stadium with the drums, but once they were inside the stands they were kicked out by security, and had their musical instruments taken off them.
Sri Lankan fan Madu Kari claims he and his friends weren't intoxicated, and that he only had two beers.
"I paid $45. [I] came here to enjoy the game and this is the only match they're playing in Auckland, everybody came here to enjoy the game and we've been kicked out, evicted,” he said.
Sam Palmer says he was sitting near the group who got ejected.
"There were two guys about five rows in front of us who didn't like it but everyone else in the crowd thought it was great having the drums going and as soon as the security came down the whole crowd was like 'what's this about?'
"They were just playing the drums and getting the crowd up and excited," he said.
In a statement sent to 3 News, Eden Park Trust CEO Guy Ngata says the seven people were removed on the basis of alcohol management and misconduct issues.
"Eden Park reserves the right to ask patrons to leave if they are consuming alcohol not purchased at the ground or are intoxicated."
He says the top priority is to ensure everyone enjoys the game.
Police said security at Eden Park is the responsibility of the venue owners and event organisers and they only assist when required.
"The man was asked repeatedly to move as he was creating a safety risk but when he continued to refuse to do so, police assisted security in having him removed."
They said although they were aware of seven evictions from the stadium on Sunday, they only assisted in one case.
3 News
