Portsmouth fans banned from sneaking into the match as ‘hosts’

Two brothers who posed as hosts to sneak into a sold-out football match have been banned from attending matches for three years.

Keane and Dale Green, 29 and 31 respectively, were arrested less than an hour before kick-off at the Southampton-Portsmouth match on the south coast in September.

The Pompey supporting duo arrived at Southampton’s St Mary’s Stadium for the match – the first league meeting between the rivals in 13 years – wearing high-visibility jackets and carrying radio equipment to blend in with the staff.

The men, who live in Portsmouth, admitted fraud by false representation and going to a football match playing area. They were ordered to pay fines and costs totaling just over £1,000 each.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police said Ken Green told officers after his arrest that the plan had been put in place “in case they were unable” to buy tickets outside the stadium.

Assistant Chief Constable Tony Rawlinson said: “This was a ridiculous plot to try and watch the match, despite knowing tickets had been sold out and those without tickets would not be able to get in.”

He added: “It is clear that they came with the aim of entering the stadium illegally, as they were carrying jackets bearing the word ‘Host’ on the back, and one of them was even carrying a radio and an earphone.”

“However, what they did not rely on was the professionalism and vigilance shown by the club’s security team and our officers, who quickly discovered they were not wearing any accreditation and worked together to get them out.”