ALBION have released a statement as fans complain of a “scary” situation when leaving the stadium after Brighton’s match against Crystal Palace on Friday.

The club said it is aware of “congestion and delays encountered by a number of supporters” leaving the north east corner of the stadium after the match.

They apologised for “any inconvenience caused” and said the club monitored congestion from their control room and directed police and staff to the area as quickly as possible to help ease it.

Fans described being “hemmed in the north stand in an uncomfortable crowd for far too long” and said there were also problems with crowding outside.

The club’s statement read: “The club is aware of the congestion and delays encountered by a number of supporters leaving the north east corner of the stadium after Friday’s match against Crystal Palace.

“We wish to apologise for any inconvenience caused, and to thank fans for their patience.

“Working with the police, the club’s operations staff were monitoring the congestion on CCTV monitors from the stadium control room at all times, and were able to direct staff and police on the ground to ease the congestion as quickly and as safely as possible.

“When special stadium egress measures such as those for Friday's game are implemented, staff must manage an ever-changing and dynamic situation. As usual, all plans will be reviewed and, where necessary, refined for future matches.”

 

A fan, who walked around from the west stand, said: "It was a total farce. We left the WSU headed for the coach park, but went around the north stand instead of going around the south as instructed, only to meet a huge crowd around the east side that wasn’t moving and getting busier and busier. No instruction, just confusion."

Another fan who was stuck outside the east stand said it was a “very scary and dangerous situation for children and the elderly”.

On the night, PC Darren Balkham, Brighton’s liaison officer said: “Firstly thank you for those who attended the game tonight. I am aware of some issues that occurred in the north stand area on egress. We will sit down with the club review CCTV and look to see what the cause was.”

Have you got a story for us? Email news@theargus.co.uk or contact us here.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up with all the latest news.

Sign up to our newsletter to get updates sent straight to your inbox.

You can also call us on 01273 021 400.