From the moment Portsmouth were drawn to play against Southampton in the Carabao Cup, there has been plenty of discussion about how things will turn out.
Considering this is an intense rivalry that hasn’t been played out since 2012, as per 11v11, policing was bound to be a point of interest ahead of the fixture.
There has been some information regarding this through a statement from Hampshire Police, which Portsmouth have relayed to the supporters:
A statement has been released by @HantsPolice ahead of the cup tie between #Pompey and Southampton https://t.co/M54aF05Xs3
— Portsmouth FC (@Pompey) September 5, 2019
The statement pointed out they will not be using the bubble method used in 2012, which has also been confirmed by Hampshire Police’s Twitter account specifically related to Portsmouth matches.
There are many supporters who have been left surprised by this decision, as, in theory, this decision increases the likelihood of opposing fans coming into contact and potentially causing trouble.
People are looking forward to seeing the rivalry played out on the pitch – with the hope that it doesn’t spill out onto the streets.
A selection of Twitter reaction to the decision, including posts from surprised Portsmouth fans, can be seen below:
— Matt (@PragmaticFrog) September 5, 2019
Uh oh
— ryan (@RYZA_MAN) September 5, 2019
Well this going to go horribly wrong, does the police not understand how many fans been waiting for this day for a ruck…. glad my kid ain’t going now no doubt there will be fights and we will prob smash up our city again
— Anxious-Beauty (@MrsProudley) September 5, 2019
Yep. No bubble for them lot… what could possibly go wrong!
— James Audley (@JAudley89) September 5, 2019
— Stewart Carnegie (@Stewartcarnegie) September 5, 2019
As if anyone will want to cause trouble
— nathan symonds (@nathansymonds1) September 5, 2019
Portsmouth fans, how intense a match will this be? Join the discussion by commenting below…
