Promotion celebrations turned sour for Portsmouth Football Club as two fans took advantage of the pitch invasion at Fratton Park to spread human ashes on the field. The South Coast side secured promotion back to the Championship after a 12-year absence with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Barnsley on April 16. However, the joyous scenes were marred by the actions of these fans, as human ashes contain calcium and calcium phosphate that can be detrimental to grass.
The BBC reports that ground staff faced a significant challenge in dealing with the aftermath of this incident ahead of Portsmouth’s final home game of the season against Wigan. The penalty area and centre circle were particularly affected, but despite the damage, the match went ahead. Unfortunately for Portsmouth, it was a disappointing end to their home campaign as they suffered a 2-1 defeat, their first home loss in nine matches.
This incident was not the only disruption caused by Portsmouth’s promotion celebrations. Just four days prior, some players were ejected from a pub due to their unruly behavior. These incidents have tarnished what should have been a joyful time for the club and its supporters.
This is not the first time that Portsmouth fans have faced criticism for their conduct during a pitch invasion. In May 2017, when the club earned promotion from League Two, there was another incident that drew condemnation. During that pitch invasion, it appeared that a Barnsley player was attacked by some Pompey fans.
The authorities are aware of these incidents but have not received any official complaints as of yet. Hampshire Police stated, “We are aware of this incident, but at this time we have no official complaint in relation to it.” It remains to be seen if any action will be taken against the individuals responsible for spreading the human ashes or if further investigations will be conducted regarding the alleged attack on a Barnsley player.
Looking ahead, maintenance work will be carried out on the pitch during the summer. Part of the field will be covered by a crane as construction begins on a new gantry at the top of the South Stand. This work will hopefully restore the pitch to its former glory and ensure that incidents like the spreading of human ashes do not occur again in the future.
In conclusion, while Portsmouth’s promotion celebrations should have been a time of unbridled joy, they were marred by the actions of a few individuals. The spreading of human ashes on the pitch not only caused damage but also posed a challenge for ground staff. Additionally, the alleged attack on a Barnsley player during the pitch invasion is another unfortunate incident that has tarnished the club’s reputation. It is crucial for fans to remember that their actions have consequences and can negatively impact their team and the wider football community.