Portsmouth CEO expects ‘heavy’ punishment over FA crowd charge
Portsmouth CEO Andy Cullen has admitted the club are prepared for “heavy” punishment to come from last season’s FA crowd charges.
Cullen, speaking at the official annual fans’ forum [5 August] broadcast by BBC Radio Solent, confessed that the club are prepared for stern sanctions around autumn time in relation to crowd trouble charges in the game against Barnsley on 16 April which sealed Pompey’s promotion at Fratton Park.
The Blues were charged with “failing 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” and the club are working to present their case to an independent commission for a lighter punishment, including that the following home match against Wigan Athletic produced zero wrongdoing from supporters.
Cullen said: “I’m hoping the response we put forward will be considered favourably by the independent commission, but it’s highly likely there will be heavy sanctions for the football club.
“It’s something that I think happened at every club who won automatic promotion or a play-off tie in the EFL apart from Leeds United, who had invested in a huge security and police presence after cases in previous years.
“It may be financial; it may be other sanctions that come into place. It’s a long process, so we’re likely to find out in about autumn time what our fate will be.”
Portsmouth contend with FA case in the background
It’s a shame for the club that whilst it enjoys – or endures – the beginning of a hugely exciting return to the Championship football which has been long in the pipeline, the club have to contend with working towards the lightest possible outcome from these FA charges.
Nevertheless, Cullen points out that it’s almost considered a “right out” that supporters should invade the pitch when achieving promotion – particularly in the circumstances Portsmouth had done, although further alleged incidents have bulked out the FA’s argument against the club.
The only plan for the Blues is of course to continue with the 2024-25 campaign in the second tier as normal, and just hope that when a verdict comes around, Pompey are not punished in terms of points or any severe financial blow which would stunt the club’s excellent progress.
The five days between the Barnsley and Wigan matches at Fratton Park showed the same emotion, but the latter was an atmosphere more of admiration of the team and a buoyant nature.
The Barnsley game to seal promotion was one of unbearable nerves, a spark of drama from Conor Shaughnessy’s late goal, and the resulting midweek party through the city’s renowned Albert Road. The sheer relief to the anxiety took over – and here’s hoping the FA can empathise as much as possible.
In other Portsmouth news, Mousinho reacts to Matt Ritchie’s emotional homecoming.
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