Police arrest three people and ‘exploding’ device leaves ball kid needing medical attention at Portsmouth vs Southampton

A police investigation has been launched with an ‘exploding device’ leaving a ball kid injured during Portsmouth’s south coast derby with Southampton.

The two sides played out a 1-1 draw at Fratton Park on Sunday, as Leo Scienza’s second half strike was cancelled out by Ebou Adams, in a fiery clash that was marred by fan-related incidents.

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In a statement, Pompey confirmed that a number of fans committed ‘criminal offences’, with some in attendance encroaching onto the pitch, leading to three people already being arrested.

As well as this, there were incidents of missiles and pyrotechnic devices being thrown from the stands onto the pitch.

And Portsmouth have since revealed that this left a young ball retriever requiring medical treatment and a member of staff suffering from burns after one device loudly exploded.

The club statement read: “There were unfortunately a number in attendance who committed criminal offences and now face consequences both for themselves and, potentially, for the football club as well.

“Disappointingly, these offences included supporters encroaching onto the pitch, with one individual having already been charged and bailed to appear at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court in March. Two further arrests have also been made.

“There were also several incidents of missiles and pyrotechnic devices irresponsibly being thrown from the stands onto the pitch – a criminal act and one which endangers safety. 

“Most distressingly, one of these devices loudly exploded, leaving one of our young ball retrievers requiring medical treatment, as well as a member of staff suffering from burns.”

Portsmouth added that they are continuing to review CCTV footage from various incidents, and appealed for anyone with information to come forward.

The club added that Hampshire Police were also investing the pyrotechnic-related incident, and vowed there would be serious consequences for those involved.

The statement continued: “We will not tolerate any future such behaviour and any spectator(s) identified as having encroached onto the pitch or having thrown missiles, either on Sunday or at any future match, will be subject to a significant club sanction, as well as a potential criminal investigation and a football banning order.

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“Portsmouth FC remain proud and grateful for the amazing support we receive both home and away. We remain totally committed to delivering a safe environment at Fratton Park for everyone.

“Players, match officials, staff and all supporters should feel entitled to this assurance, whatever the circumstances.”

Fan invasion in fiery clash

The news surrounding the young ball attendant is the latest fan-related incident to come to light following the south coast derby.

During the match, a Portsmouth fan made the headlines for invading the pitch to goad travelling Southampton supporters.

Footage posted on social media shows them running across the pitch to the away section, making crude gestures.

The fan was eventually caught by stewards and led away, with this likely to have brought severe consequences for the individual.

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As for the two teams’ fortunes, a point for Portsmouth saw them climb out of the Championship relegation zone.

The draw took John Mousinho’s side up to 21st in the table, with Blackburn dropping into the bottom three.

Meanwhile Southampton remain 15th in the table following the draw, who are now seven points adrift of the play-off places.

Tonda Eckert’s side remain on a poor run of form, having now taken just six points from their last six games.

Their latest draw with their south coast rivals means the Saints are now winless in their last five league games against Pompey, with this the first time this has happened in the club’s history.

Southampton have not beaten their rivals in a league game since November 2004, drawing their last four encounters with Portsmouth the last team to claim victory, doing so in a 4-1 Premier League win in 2005.

The previous derby clash between the two sides ended in a 0-0 draw at St Mary’s back in September.