As we approach the closing stages of another exciting Sky Bet League One season, there remains plenty to play for as the race for promotion continues.
At Pompey, we have been hugely grateful for your support from the stands and the noise and atmosphere you create – both at Fratton Park and on the road – is a fundamental part of what makes our club so great.
John Mousinho, his staff and the players are all hugely appreciative of the fantastic backing you have given us.
As we reach this crucial stage of the campaign, we must remind you in the interests of safety for everyone inside our stadium and those we visit, that the pitch is for managers, players and match officials, while the stands are there for you to support the team.
End of season pitch incursions may previously have been part of a football tradition, but over the past two seasons, several clubs have witnessed unsavoury and unwelcome scenes, with a small minority of people entering the field of play and resulting in attacks on opposition players and supporters, and assaults on match officials at a number of grounds.
The FA, the EFL and the police have decided enough is enough and have consequently and collectively agreed to implement heavier sanctions, both against individuals who invade the pitch and those clubs whose supporters enter the pitch. These sanctions for pitch invasions also have the support of the Football Supporters’ Association (FSA).
It is a criminal offence to enter the pitch and the real-life consequences for these actions have been felt by many, with some fans receiving Football Banning Orders and/or criminal records, which can impact employment, education prospects and international travel.
A Football Banning Order might also mean you having to periodically surrender your passport and be banned from city centres on matchdays for years to come.
Last season, many individuals were arrested and significant fines were handed to several clubs. In some cases, parts of the ground have been closed or netting has been placed over seats, limiting use by season ticket holders and other supporters. These are sanctions we do not want to see implemented at Fratton Park, nor against any of our supporters.
We appreciate that this may be a tough decision for some individuals, but our plea to you is to remain in the stands. We want you to celebrate the end of the season, but please keep the pitch clear for players to enjoy any special moments with you and avoid any unnecessary disruption at such a crucial point of the season.
The FSA said: “We do abide by the simple message that the stands are for the fans and the pitch is for the players. In a ‘celebratory’ incursion the vast majority will have good intentions, but it just takes one idiot to spoil things and we’ve seen that happen in recent seasons at a number of different clubs. It’s not fair on players of either team who have that worry.
“Except in the case of an emergency, it’s illegal to jump on the pitch and we often have to pick up the pieces as a heartbroken fan realises, yes, you will have to go to court, you will be banned from football for years, it will probably affect your employment opportunities. We’d like to have as few of those conversations as possible, to be totally honest.”
Portsmouth FC want all our supporters to enjoy an exciting climax to this season and not be subject to sanctions that may affect them for many years to come.
Thank you all for your brilliant support. PUP!
Love Football. Protect the Game.
Portsmouth Football Club would also like to remind fans that it is illegal to bring pyrotechnics into football grounds, with the club remaining under FA investigation following a recent incident at Peterborough. Click here for more details.
