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Two brothers who disguised themselves as stewards in an attempt to sneak into the fiercely contested south coast derby between Southampton and Portsmouth have been banned from attending football matches for three years.
The brothers wore hi-vis jackets and carried radios in a “ridiculous” effort to gain access to the sold-out game at St Mary’s Stadium in September. The pair, both Portsmouth supporters, were caught less than an hour before kick-off after entering a restricted area near the pitch.
The duo appeared before Southampton Magistrates’ Court, where they each pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation and going onto the playing area of a football match. They were each fined around £700 and issued with football banning orders.
A spokesperson for Hampshire Police said:
“Brothers Kane and Dale Green headed to St Mary’s Stadium in September without tickets, carrying hi-vis vests and radio equipment. At the ground they put on the items to look like stewards and managed to get into a restricted area, just metres from the pitch, less than an hour before kick-off of this highly anticipated game.”
Assistant Chief Constable Tony Rowlinson, who oversaw police operations for the match, condemned their plan.
“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 hi-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..”
The court was told that Kane Green, of Magdalen Road, Portsmouth, claimed he travelled to the match hoping to buy tickets outside the ground. When questioned, he said he had brought the hi-vis vest, radio, and earpiece “just in case he couldn’t get one” and denied being close to the pitch. His brother, Dale Green, of Devonshire Avenue, Portsmouth, made no comment during his police interview.
The match itself, the first league meeting between the two clubs in 13 years, ended in a goalless draw.
