Portsmouth charged by FA after Fratton Park pitch invasion
Portsmouth have been charged by the Football Association (FA) with misconduct in relation to crowd control during the match which secured the club’s promotion as League One champions.
In a post on X [31 May], the FA Spokesperson page delivered the news, with Pompey having until Friday 7 June to respond to the charge, which occurred from the 3-2 win at Fratton Park over Barnsley on 16 April as spectators invaded the pitch in celebration of promotion.
Conor Shaughnessy’s dramatic 89th-minute winner sparked delirious scenes of elation on the South Coast as some supporters ran onto the field of play, before thousands more piled on at the final whistle.
The FA statement read: “Portsmouth FC has been charged with misconduct in relation to crowd control at the EFL League One game against Barnsley FC on Tuesday 16 April.
“Portsmouth FC allegedly failed to ensure that its spectators and/or supporters (and anyone purporting to be supporters or followers) conducted themselves in an orderly fashion; didn’t behave in an improper, violent, threatening or provocative way; and/or threw missiles; and/or commit any form of pitch incursion.
“Portsmouth FC has until Friday 7 June to provide its response to this charge.”
The alleged Portsmouth breach of FA discipline
Portsmouth will consider its response over the coming days, before responding to the charge this Friday (7 May).
The statement from the FA did not cover any specific incidents, following reports of a Barnsley player allegedly being struck by a spectator on the field of play after the final whistle.
Sheffield Wednesday (£50,000) and Carlisle United (£5,000) were among the clubs to be fined for pitch invasion-related incidents last season.
Many football figures congratulated the club on their long-awaited return to the Championship, but EFL chief executive Trevor Birch commented that pitch invasions cannot continue – a trend which has become more commonplace in recent years in celebrating promotion and play-off success.
Let’s just hope the punishment is not too severe.
In other Portsmouth news, the club’s women’s team have turned fully professional in an exciting development.
For more Portsmouth news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.