TWO brothers who support Portsmouth have been banned for THREE YEARS after dressing up as stewards to sneak into St Mary’s for the Southampton game.
Dale Green 31, and Kane Green, 29, could not get tickets to watch the south coast derby played on September 14 — so hatched a cunning plan to blag their way in anyway.
They purchased high-vis jackets with “steward” written on the back — while Dale Green also bought an earpiece and radio.
The brothers managed to fool security at St Mary’s into believing they were stewards and were able to gain access to the stadium.
But the pair — who got within 10 yards from the pitch before kick-off — were soon rumbled by Southampton stadium staff who noticed they were not wearing accreditation lanyards and the brothers were arrested by police and charged.
Appearing in front of Southampton Magistrates Court, they both pleaded guilty to “fraud by false representation” and “going onto a playing area at a football match.”
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Prosecuting, Robert Salame told magistrates: “Kane Green was approached by a staff member who attempted to escort him out from the tunnel area of the stadium.
“He then ran away, but was detained by police and arrested.”
The court heard a similar series of events unfolded for Dale Green, who tried to evade police after his fake jacket was taken from him — but he was soon arrested too.
Hampshire Police assistant chief constable Tony Rowlinson, the gold commander for the game’s policing operation, slammed the brothers for their audacious act.
He said: “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.
“They clearly came with the intention to get into the stadium illegally, bringing high-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.
“Their actions have seen them face very serious consequences in court today and for two people who were so desperate to see this one game, they will now not be able to go to any for three years.
“I would like to thank the stewards who spotted something was wrong and took immediate action, as well as our officers who swiftly intervened and helped ensure they had their day in court.
“I hope this reassures the real football fans that we work closely with football clubs and will take action against those who threaten to disrupt games.”
In addition to the ban which includes all football stadiums, they were fined £333 each and ordered to pay a £266 surcharge and £85 prosecution costs.
Mitigating, their defence lawyer Barry Keel said both brothers are remorseful for their actions and said this “ruse was done to watch their team play. They recognise the stupidity of their actions.”
Southampton fan Daniel Small, 35, was last month also given a three-year football banning order after pleading guilty to invading the pitch during the same game.
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