PCC hails 'new era' of football derby rivalry

The rivalry between Southampton and Portsmouth fans is one of the most long-standing in English football

The rivalry between Southampton and Portsmouth football fans has entered a "new era", Hampshire's police and crime commissioner (PCC) has said.

The two south coast rival teams meet for their first league match in 13 years on Sunday, with a history of violent clashes between fans at previous games.

PCC Donna Jones said there had been "tremendous" planning for policing the event which began when it was known both teams would be playing in the Championship this season.

She said the rivalry between the fans should be "healthy and safe" but anyone coming with intention of causing trouble should expect to be arrested and its consequences.

There have been clashes at the most recent matches between the two teams

The fixture, scheduled for 12:00 BST on Sunday, will be the first league match between the sides at St Mary's since 2012. The only more recent meeting between the bitter rivals was an EFL Cup tie at Fratton Park in 2019.

Previous games between the clubs have seen violent clashes.

More than 90 arrests were made at Fratton Park in 2004.

Twelve people were jailed following violence in Southampton when the teams met in February 2010.

A man was jailed after he punched a police horse in the head during a confrontation before the match at Fratton Park in September 2019.

Ms Jones said football banning orders and measures such as CCTV had improved security at football matches.

"That era of football violence back from the 70s, 80s, and what dogged Portsmouth and Southampton for so many years, I really think that is behind us now.

"I truly believe that 99.9% of people going to those games want to go along and enjoy a really brilliant game of football between two clubs with most revered rivalries in the Football League," she added.

Ms Jones warned that troublemakers could still face football banning orders which she said had "teeth".

"Anyone who does come along with the intention of causing trouble and trying to start fights or doing anything they shouldn't have done, they should expect to be arrested and the consequences of that."

She said the cost of the policing operation for Sunday's match would be up to £200,000.

Under police funding legislation, football clubs are charged for police officers who are deployed on land that is under their management.

Ms Jones said Hampshire Constabulary would be drawing on mutual aid from other forces, but costs had increased with police resources elsewhere being committed to the state visit of US president Donald Trump.

The second league game, which will be held at Pompey's Fratton Park, is currently set for the end of January.