Blackburn Rovers today appealed for fans to remain calm and explained the events which prompted angry fans to launch a stand-up protest.

Rovers fans in the Blackburn End voiced their disapproval at the sight of two home supporters being ejected midway through the second half of the 4-0 defeat against Middlesbrough.

Club officials and police have confirmed that the two arrests were made for Public Order offences and not for persistent standing, which seemed to be the feeling among certain sections of the crowd.

Fans bombarded the Blackburn Rovers supporters' club official website with complaints about stewarding after the incident.

Today, fans said they understood the club's policy on standing fans but said they wanted the same rules to apply to away fans.

Several supporters have been officially warned by the club that they could have their season tickets confiscated if they persisently break safety regulations.

However, the club have categorically denied that anyone was ejected from the stadium on Saturday for committing such an offence.

Chief Superintendent David Mallaby, the match commander on Saturday, said "Police officers did carry out two arrests in the ground for Public Order related offences. Both have been charged and are waiting to appear in court. I can confirm that police did not arrest anyone for standing in a seated area."

Rovers' secretary Tom Finn said: "An unpleasant atmosphere prevailed during the second half of Saturday's game and we feel it is imperative that everyone be made fully aware of the facts.

"There was an incident at the Blackburn End during the second half. Visiting supporters situated in one of the hospitality boxes celebrated when Middlesbrough scored and that led to a response from within the home support.

"Club staff and stewards went into the hospitality box to speak to those concerned and from thereon their behaviour was closely monitored and was acceptable.

"It is not unusual for our corporate supporters to entertain guests who have an allegiance to the visiting club; it happens here at Ewood Park and at every other ground in the Premier League.

"However, it was most regrettable that on Saturday the reaction from guests in a corporate box to Middlesbrough scoring should prompt an incident and lead to arrests.

"Feelings were running high at that stage in the Blackburn End and it was clear that many of our supporters felt that action had been taken against fans for standing.

"We do have an issue with a small minority of our supporters standing in home areas and it is clearly opportune at this stage to outline our policy towards persistent standing in seated areas.

"The policy of insisting that spectators remain seated is one that is prescribed by The 1989 Football Spectators Act. We all accept that supporters will stand at times of high drama and for goalmouth incidents but persistent standing is unacceptable. This is reinforced within our Safety Certificate issued and monitored by our local authority.

"We understand that one of the biggest sources of complaint is our supporters' perception that there is one rule for them and another for away supporters.

"The behaviour of those clubs is now being monitored closely and some local authorities in receipt of this evidence have chosen to reduce the number of seats the home club can provide to the away team. This can obviously have revenue implications.

"We do try to persuade away supporters to sit when they come to Ewood Park. We have produced a leaflet that is sent out to all ticket purchasers, we have posters displayed at the turnstiles asking for fans co-operation and we make PA announcements if standing does take place. We then report on the away fans behaviour to the FLA.

"Regardless as to whether the away supporters stand or not we cannot turn a blind eye to our fans standing. Nor would we wish to. What's often not considered is that standing disrupts the enjoyment and viewing of other supporters.

"Many fans and particularly the young, elderly and disabled simply cannot view the match if those in front of them do not sit. We have a duty of care to all our fans."

Pauline Perkins, secretary of the official Rovers supporters club, said: "I don't agree with standing up during the game because it spoils it for everybody else. Everyone would be able to see better if we all remained seated.

"I can understand how Rovers fans who want to stand up would feel aggrieved if they are not allowed to but see the fans in the away end standing up.

"I can also see how our fans got aggravated by corporate away fans celebrating goals because emotions were running high.

"I think it would be more logical to have corporate away fans in the away end.

"I think the situation ought to be looked at, or the conduct of corporate away fans ought to be looked at if it causes scenes like this."

A Rovers fan, who did not want to be named, said: "It all started when a woman in the boxes held up a sign saying Middlesboro three Blackburn nil.

"They were banging on the windows and that kicked it off.

"Rovers fans were upset. Then they were getting mad that the police were coming up to them.

"They should have thrown out the Middlesbrough fan.

"They should have charged the Middlebrough fan with public disorder for showing that sign."