Albion fans are being warned about the risk of giving tickets to away supporters after Aston Villa fans were seen in the home section during their last Premier League match.
People reported seeing Villa fans in the east lower section of the Amex near the travelling supporters during Brighton’s 2-1 defeat on Sunday.
Chants of “stand up if you love Villa” and “we’ll sit where we want” were also directed from away supporters to other Villa fans.
One away supporter seen in the home section was kicked out of the stadium.
The home fan who the ticket belonged to could face a ban as it was used by someone who was not the named ticket holder.
Albion want to remind people that while it is not a crime, it is against the club's ground regulations which will result in ejection from the stadium and potential further action.
A club spokesman said: “Our guidelines are clear, we do not permit away fans in home general admission areas, and take this opportunity to remind all supporters that this is against our stadium rules.
"Unfortunately, in this case a home supporter and My Albion+ member passed on a ticket to a visiting supporter, and this will now likely result in a ban for both individuals.”
One Aston Villa fan filmed himself in the stadium and posted it on Twitter in response to a Tweet about the issue.
— Ciprianii (@CiprianiMacovei) November 13, 2022
Ticket touts or people giving their tickets to away fans face bans if caught.
Two reports were received of suspected away fans in the home sections of the stadium on Sunday.
One of them turned out to be a Brighton fan who was ejected from the North Stand for suspected homophobic abuse against an Albion player. It is understood he was arrested.
One Albion fan said they could see “loads of Villa fans standing up and waving, to the delight of all the Villa fans in the away end”.
Another fan added that it “has to stop before something bad happens”.
Another added that it “would seem simple to kick them out when they spot them but they don’t even do that”.
One Villa fan said that away fans sitting in home fans sections happens at every ground.
Albion said as is common with all clubs, they do permit away fans to purchase hospitality or be guests of home fans in hospitality areas but expect fans to comply with ground regulations in these areas.
Fans have also claimed to see Tottenham fans in the home sections during Albion's loss to them in October.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel