Stamford Bridge erupts in brawls as Chelsea launch probe into ‘most serious breach of stadium security in recent memory'

The Sun

09-05-2025

CHELSEA have launched a probe after hundreds of away fans infiltrated the home end for Thursday's Conference League match.
Supporters of Swedish side Djurgarden were able to buy tickets in almost every section of Stamford Bridge for the semi-final second leg.
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Cops and stewards had to intervene to keep the peace during the game, which Chelsea won 1-0.
Chelsea claim to be cracking down on illegal ticket sales and are going digital with seat allocation from next season in a bid to beat the touts.
The visiting supporters made no attempt to remain anonymous and sang loudly throughout the 90-minute match.
Footage from inside the ground on the night shows one section of Stamford Bridge being completely taken over by visiting fans, which saw Chelsea release an update during the game and relocate fans in the impacted areas.
One fan captured a video showing fans clashing in the Matthew Harding Stand of the stadium during the match, with another showing fans brawling in the West Stand concourse at half-time.
The Chelsea Supporters' Trust released a damning statement following the game and asked fans to come forwards to present evidence for an formal investigation.
The statement said: "During Thursday's UEFA Conference League vs. Djurgården, a huge number of away supporters were able to infiltrate large areas of the home end.
"This is the most serious breach of stadium security in recent memory, and it significantly undermines any security protocols Chelsea FC put in place ahead of the fixture.
"As a result, the Chelsea Supporters' Trust will formally write a letter of complaint to Chelsea FC's COO and Head of Security.
"We will call for a formal investigation by the club into the ticket sales process and Chelsea FC's security response during the match.
"The findings of this investigation and any subsequent recommendations must be made available to supporters.
"The CST invites all supporters who attended the fixture on Thursday to submit written, photographic, and video evidence they captured during the fixture.
"The CST will then collate this evidence and then submit it to Chelsea FC."
A Chelsea statement read: "We will be reviewing all ticketing arrangements following this evening's match and commit to implementing all necessary changes following this review.
"We will also share all our findings with the Fan Advisory Board."
Large numbers of police were on duty as they were in the previous round when the notorious Legia Warsaw ultras also gained entry into home sections of the ground.
Chelsea's own chairman Todd Boehly owns a stake in US-based Vivid Seats which is an unauthorised ticket resale site.
A Met Police spokesperson said: 'Officers were deployed to support stewards at Stamford Bridge last night after a number of away fans were identified in home stands.
"The fans had purchased tickets but not for the appropriate part of the ground.
'A number of away fans who had found themselves in the home stands climbed into the designated away stand where they remained without incident.
'Where away fans remained in home areas, officers and stewards provided a visible presence to ensure any incidents or altercations could be dealt with.
'While there were six arrests outside the ground for various offences including assault and possession of drugs, there were no arrests within the ground.'