Portsmouth Brothers Banned After Disguising Themselves as Stewards to Sneak into St Mary’s Stadium

Two Portsmouth football fans have been banned from attending matches for three years after attempting to sneak into the south coast derby game by posing as stewards.

Brothers Kane Green, 29, of Magdalen Road, Portsmouth, and Dale Green, 31, of Devonshire Avenue, Portsmouth, turned up at St Mary’s Stadium in September without tickets for the highly anticipated Southampton vs Portsmouth fixture.

Carrying high-visibility vests emblazoned with the word “steward” and equipped with radio equipment and an earpiece, the pair attempted to blend in with matchday staff to gain entry to the ground.

Once at the stadium, they put on the disguises and managed to enter a restricted area just metres from the pitch, less than an hour before kick-off. However, their plan quickly fell apart when security staff and police officers noticed they were not wearing the proper accreditation.

The brothers were swiftly ejected from the stadium and later charged with fraud by false representation and going onto the playing area of a football match.

At Southampton Magistrates’ Court yesterday, both men pleaded guilty to the offences.

Assistant Chief Constable Tony Rowlinson, who served as Gold Commander for the policing operation around the game, condemned their actions.

“This was a ridiculous plot to try and see the game, despite knowing tickets were sold out and those without tickets would not be getting in,” he said.

“They clearly came with the intention to get into the stadium illegally, bringing high-vis vests with ‘steward’ on the back, with one even carrying a radio and earpiece.

“However, what they didn’t bank on was the professionalism and vigilance of the club’s security team and our officers, who quickly spotted they weren’t wearing any accreditation and worked together to eject them.”

Rowlinson added that the men’s actions had serious consequences.

“Their actions have seen them face very serious consequences in court today and for two people who were so desperate to see this one game, they will now not be able to go to any for three years,” he said.

“I would like to thank the stewards who spotted something was wrong and took immediate action, as well as our officers who swiftly intervened and helped ensure they had their day in court.

“I hope this reassures the real football fans that we work closely with football clubs and will take action against those who threaten to disrupt games.”

During police interviews, Kane Green claimed he had initially travelled to Southampton in the hope of buying tickets outside the ground. He admitted bringing the vest, radio and earpiece “just in case” he was unable to get one, but denied being near the pitch or intending to cause trouble.

His brother Dale Green made no comment during his interview.

The court ordered both men to pay fines totalling nearly £700 each and issued them each with a three-year football banning order, preventing them from attending any regulated football matches across the UK.