Met launches independent review after Chelsea fans held outside Charlton

The Metropolitan Police has commissioned an independent investigation after receiving complaints about its treatment of Chelsea supporters following the club’s FA Cup tie at Charlton on Saturday 10 January. The Chelsea Supporters’ Trust (CST) wrote to the force and called for action after saying an operation held approximately 3,000 travelling fans outside the Valley without prior notice following a game that kicked off at 8pm in freezing temperatures.

The CST complained of a lack of communication, unsafe conditions, blocked routes that caused confusion and a surge once the holdback was lifted. Dominic Rosso, the CST chair, said “no advance communication was provided to supporters regarding the possibility of a post-match holdback, leaving thousands unprepared.” The trust described supporters being directed towards a confined space for almost 30 minutes, and said supporters exiting via the red gates on to Valley Grove were diverted into a poorly lit dead-end residential area where muddy ground turned to ice and people slipped.

The CST said when the holdback ended supporters were released through an opening of approximately two metres, causing a forward surge, and that a further hold of about 15 minutes took place adjacent to Charlton station. Chelsea had been given an allocation of 3,065 tickets for the tie.

Key Topics

Sports, Chelsea Fc, The Valley, Metropolitan Police, Chelsea Supporters' Trust, Fa Cup