Crowds at Brighton Station have been broken up and kettled this evening as Sussex Police deal with clashing Albion and Palace fans ahead of the game.
Roads were closed and diversions in place as Sussex Police dealt with what they described as a public order incident.
⚠ The Brighton Station area has been shut by Police due to a large number of football supporters around the station. All services are diverting to Imperial Arcade/Dyke Road/Seven Dials! ⚠
— B&H Buses (@BrightonHoveBus) November 28, 2017
The trouble follows red paint being thrown on a mural of Brighton captain Saltor in Church Street this morning, and Crystal Palace tags appearing across the city.
And earlier, a group of rowdy Palace fans who call themselves the Holmesdale Fanatics posted this picture of themselves on Queens Road.
PALACE ARE HERE.
No pubs including spoons letting in away fans apart from Buddies bar on the seafront. Get down here for a couple before we beat the scum. pic.twitter.com/MKyY4WUx86
— Holmesdale Fanatics (@ULTRAS_CPFC) November 28, 2017
Tonight’s match, which kicked off at 7.45pm, is the first home game Brighton and Hove Albion have played against their arch rivals Crystal Palace since being promoted to the Premiership.
One commuter Damian McCarthy, who witnessed the violence outside the station, said: “I accidentally got caught caught in the middle of the Palace fans as I got off the train”.
“I saw a couple of cowards try and attack a lone older guy wearing a Brighton football cap before he told them to **** off and they got a bit frightened before the police then ran over.
“They all got off the train about 150 or so. The police met them and started walking down to the seafront with them.
“Brighton didn’t seem particularly frightened and a few spontaneous Brighton football chants rang out as they walked towards the sea front”
The video above was shot by Sarah-Kye Faulkner, who said she was kettled twice on her way home from the station.
Another worried commuter warned people on the Brighton People Facebook page shortly after 7pm: “Please take care if you’re anywhere around Queens Road. Riot police are trying to break people up but there’s a violent outbreak every minute or two.
“The traffic is shut. Be careful outside this evening.”
Was also in the Jolly Butchers when this video was taken . Police did a great job 👍
“Get down here for a couple before we beat the scum.”
Should be ashamed of themselves for tweeting something like that which is simply an incitement to violence.
Palace should ban their so called fans and the courts should ban them from attending any more football matches. And the same should apply to any Albion fans as well.
“Get down here for a couple before we beat the ****.”
Should be ashamed of themselves for tweeting something like that which is simply an incitement to violence.
Palace should ban their so called fans and the courts should ban them from attending any more football matches. And the same should apply to any Albion fans as well.
“Get down here for a couple before we beat the ****.”
Should be ashamed of themselves for tweeting something like that which is simply an incitement to violence.
Palace should ban their so called fans and the courts should ban them from attending any more football matches. And the same should apply to any Albion fans as well.