12 men face charges after Pompey v Southampton match with missiles thrown and seats ripped apart - fans sought

A dozen men are due in court after fans threw missiles at each other during the south coast derby in January.

Police have confirmed that several individuals have received postal requisitions to attend Portsmouth Magistrates Court. This follows a fiery fixture on January 25 between Pompey and Southampton, which ultimately finished 1-1 at Fratton Park.

Several incidents involving supporters happened during the encounter and after the final whistle. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said the disorder involved criminal damage to the stadium. Seats were ripped out of the stands and thrown onto the pitch. Coins, bottles and pieces of broken seats were also hurled.

Police issued an appeal for information earlier this year, and 12 of these men have been asked to attend court. Two from Portsmouth, aged 27 and 19, two men from Southampton, 22 and 19, a 17-year-old from Chandlers Ford, and a 40-year-old from Fareham, will face charges of throwing missiles.

A trio of males from Southampton, aged 31, 40, and 25, will face charges of throwing missiles and criminal damage alongside a 24-year-old from Chandlers Ford and a 19-year-old from Locks Heath. A 26-year-old man from Totton will face a charge of criminal damage.

Police have renewed their appeal and shared images of fans they wish to speak to. “If you are one of the people in these photos, or know who they are, please call 101 quoting reference 44260128696,” they added.

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Tempers flared during the match amid an atmosphere which resembled a bearpit. Brazilian winger Leo Scienza gave the Saints the lead and taunted the home supporters as he wheeled away. Defensive midfielder Flynn Downes smashed into Pompey fullback Zak Swanson, causing a melee in front of the North Stand.

Star signing Ebou Adams levelled the match 13 minutes later, running the length of the pitch to salute the Fratton End. After the final whistle, missiles were launched from the Milton End into the lower section of the North Stand. Police and stewards tried to calm the situation.

Other incidents included Taylor Rogers, of Havant Road, invading the pitch. He has been banned from attending matches for four years after running towards the away end and throwing a ball in their direction. Rogers was escorted away by stewards. He was ordered to pay £1,205 in fines and costs.

He was not the only person escorted off the pitch during the game, with stewards also removing Richard Conaghan from the field. Conaghan, 34, of Courtmount Grove, was banned from football matches for three years after climbing over the advertising board and dashing towards the Milton End, gesticulating to the Southampton fans.

Saints supporter Michael Wilson, 44, threw a crutch onto the pitch which struck a teenage ball boy. Wilson, of Beedon Way, Eastleigh, pleaded guilty to assault by beating and throwing a missile onto a football playing area. He paid the £1,496 in court costs, fines and victim surcharges, while receiving a three-year football banning order.

Another ballboy was hurt during the match after a flashbang was thrown and detonated near the Milton End. It left him with “temporary hearing loss” and needing medical attention.