‘Indefensible’ – Portsmouth fans rightly furious as yet another Southampton announcement drops
Portsmouth will take on Southampton at St Mary’s Stadium on Sunday, in what will be the first South Coast derby since 2019.
It has been a promising start to the season, with Portsmouth’s 1-0 win over Preston North End leaving them eighth in the Championship heading into the international break.
Their hosts sit 13th, after a busy summer saw them lose several key players to teams both in the Premier League and in other major European leagues.
Southampton have been predicted to beat Portsmouth on Sunday regardless, and John Mousinho’s side will be hoping to prove the doubters wrong.
Conor Chaplin is expected to make his second Portsmouth debut, after completing his deadline day return on loan from Ipswich Town.
Portsmouth fans fume at club travel announcement
Southampton have been slammed for the £40 ticket prices set for Portsmouth fans attending the match on Sunday.
That decision had already angered the travelling support, and an announcement from Pompey has now added fuel to the flames.
Portsmouth have confirmed that fans must arrive at their designated coach locations at least an hour before departure times at 8:30 am, 8:55 am, and 9:55 am.
Tickets will only be distributed upon arrival at St Mary’s Stadium, with valid identification required.
With kick-off at 12 pm, and the drive expected to take around 30-40 minutes according to Google Maps, Portsmouth fans have voiced their frustration.
One fan called the decision “indefensible treatment of fans”, and asked the club to explain its logic behind the announcement.
Another questioned why the club are requiring an hour for fans to park their cars and “walk 50 metres to a coach”.
Others poked fun at the club’s seeming caution surrounding the fixture, with even a Southampton fan describing the plans as “ridiculously overkill”.
Someone else joked that the club would “need a permission slip from my mum too?”
Portsmouth announcement takes derby concern to next level
One would guess the police have taken an influence on Portsmouth’s decision, such is the extremity of the club’s announcement.
Ultimately, derbies are occasions in which trouble can happen between fans, but Pompey must leave that decision in the hands of the culprits themselves.
By making such a decision regarding travel, they risk inconveniencing the vast majority, when the chances of unattractive behaviour lie solely in the hands of a small minority.
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