The Metropolitan Police have launched an independent investigation following complaints regarding their handling of Chelsea fans after their FA Cup match against Charlton Athletic last Saturday. The Chelsea Supporters' Trust (CST) had previously written to the police to express their concerns about the operation, which involved holding back approximately 3,000 Chelsea fans outside The Valley stadium after the game, which kicked off at 8 pm in freezing conditions.
Dominic Rosso, the chair of the CST, stated that there was a lack of communication from the police, unsafe conditions, confusing blocked routes, and a surge when the holdback was lifted. He added that fans experienced "visible distress" after being directed into a confined space for nearly 30 minutes before being allowed to leave. The CST highlighted the lack of advance notice regarding the post-match holdback, leaving many supporters unprepared.
The CST also noted that as fans exited onto Valley Grove, a police blockade led many to believe the correct route was to the left, directing them into a poorly lit and hazardous dead-end residential area. The freezing conditions turned the muddy ground to ice, causing people to slip and fall. The absence of clear directions, signage, or stewarding in the area increased confusion and unnecessary risk.
Chelsea had been allocated 3,065 tickets for the FA Cup third-round tie. The CST sought feedback from its members and described the police action as "deeply disappointing," drawing "uncomfortable comparisons with policing approaches" of the past.
One Chelsea supporter described being "boxed in" by the Metropolitan Police for the best part of an hour after the game without warning or explanation. The supporter highlighted that there was no visible hint of trouble that would justify such an operation, leaving approximately 3,500 people, including the young, old, and disabled, detained on a bitterly cold evening.
The justification offered was that there had been "a fight or two" before the game. The supporter argued that this was a flimsy excuse and that people were physically hurt as a result of being forced into confined spaces. Some fans missed train connections, and local residents were alarmed by the situation. The supporter also criticized the behavior of some officers who were openly threatening and mocking the trapped crowd.
The Chelsea Supporters' Trust is scheduled to meet with the Metropolitan Police on January 15 to discuss policing operations. They have encouraged Chelsea supporters to share their experiences via email to be included in an appendix to their letter to the MET Police. Chelsea FC has been urged to demand a full explanation and an apology from the Metropolitan Police.
