Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
KEEP YOUR COOL
Hodgson urges rival fans to ‘behave well’ after weekend aggro
ROY HODGSON has warned fans not to take football back to the “really bad times”, as Sussex Police promised an increased presence at the M23 derby.
Last season’s fixture between Brighton and Crystal Palace saw six arrests and around 150 away fans – some with tickets – refused entry to the Amex Stadium.
Sussex Police later had to apologise for claiming Eagles fans had brought “knives and knuckledusters”.
Last weekend’s derby clashes saw trouble in north London and Merseyside. But Hodgson, who first managed in English football in 1982, said the widespread condemnation of bad behaviour proved it is no longer acceptable – or normal.
“I’m expecting our fans to behave well and I’m expecting the Brighton fans to behave well,” said the former England manager. “Unfortunately, there is always going to be instances where some people don’t.
“But the major difference today, compared to the really bad times of crowd violence, where it was an everyday occurrence, is that people are very quick to jump in and condemn the behaviour and clubs are very quick to identify culprits and suspend culprits.
“I don’t know if there is so much more we can do than that, other than highlighting this is behaviour that has nothing to do with football. They are society-related not football-related.
“People who are racist may come to football too. It is good football is making it harder for them and singling them out much quicker.” Hodgson predicted a raucous atmosphere tonight as his Palace side, which has kept two clean sheets in their last two games, try to shackle former striker Glenn Murray.
But despite scoring only six goals in their seven away games so far, the Eagles boss claimed he was not looking for new forward options in January. “I am confident the goals will come, and I don’t know that someone else could come in and double our tally,” he added.
Assistant Chief Constable Steve Barry of Sussex Police said: “There will be an increased police presence around the ground, in the city and in neighbouring towns.
“Security within the ground remains the responsibility of the club, supported by us.”