Giants Stadium to ban bottled drinks after fan incidents elsewhere

EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (AP) _ Bottled drinks have been banned at the Giants Stadium after rowdy fans at games in Cleveland and New Orleans tossed bottles on the field. <br><br>The Giants Stadium had

Wednesday, December 19th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (AP) _ Bottled drinks have been banned at the Giants Stadium after rowdy fans at games in Cleveland and New Orleans tossed bottles on the field.

The Giants Stadium had a policy that allowed plastic bottles to be sold without caps, and allowed fans to bring in plastic bottles of water if they first removed caps. The stadium now will ban the bottles and only sell drinks that are poured into plastic cups, said Dan Emmer, spokesman of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, which runs the venue.

No throwing incidents have been reported this year at the stadium, but ``it's happening elsewhere,'' Emmer said. ``I think it's incumbent upon the authority to provide as safe an atmosphere as possible.''

The NFL is contemplating several enhanced security measures after the incidents this week. On Sunday, fans in Cleveland delayed the game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Browns by throwing objects, including partially filled plastic beer bottles, onto the field after replay officials nullified a catch by a Browns receiver.

On Monday night, the Rams' 34-21 win at New Orleans was briefly delayed when fans threw bottles and other debris from the stands after an official's call went against the Saints.

The Giants took away season tickets in 1995 from some fans who pelted the field with snowballs in the final game of the season. Fifteen people were arrested.

The new bottle policy will first go into effect Sunday when the Giants host Seattle.