Operation to avoid repeat of 2019 football violence

Police are working to prevent a repeat of violence that marred a football fixture when it was last played in 2019.

Portsmouth and Southampton fans were involved in ugly scenes before the South Coast Derby at Fratton Park that year, including an incident where a man punched a police horse.

All Saints fans will arrive on 45 coaches for Sunday's repeat fixture and will be escorted by police into the ground.

Officers in protective gear, police dogs and helicopters will again be deployed, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said.

The force previously said there was no major disruption when the two sides met at St Mary's Stadium in Southampton in a Championship fixture in September 2025.

However, Ch Supt Simon Dodds, in charge of Sunday's operation, said Fratton Park was a more "challenging environment" due to the proximity of housing.

He said: "If we go back to 2019 when the two clubs last met at Fratton Park, we had instances of violence and disorder.

"People were hurt, officers were hurt. We even had a police horse that was punched."

He said the so-called "bubble" - where away fans are channelled by police - was not available in 2019 due to the short notice of the Carabao Cup draw.

Eight men were later jailed for violent disorder.

At September's goalless draw, the bubble was used and there were only two arrests.

Dodds added: "So much rests on the score and hopefully this time we'll be lucky enough to see a few goals to make the match more of a spectacle."

Portsmouth fans travelling for the 12:00 GMT kick-off are advised to leave extra time to allow for roadworks on Eastern Road.

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