A Pompey fan has today received a three-year football banning order and, as a result, a criminal record for throwing a pyrotechnic device during April’s match at Sunderland.
The teenage supporter also received a fine at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court.
Portsmouth Football Club will now decide whether to hand out an extended club ban.
We would like to be clear that it is a criminal offence to bring a pyrotechnic device into a football stadium and take no pleasure in seeing fans receiving such sanctions.
Our preference is for these incidents to not happen in the first place, hence the constant messages to supporters about the punishments that are at the disposal of various authorities.
These include criminal charges, banning orders, heavy individual and club fines, and, in extreme cases, even points-related sanctions.