Boyne

At the World Cup. Four Chelsea greats together.

Everyone will remember that a number of supporters groups including the Chelsea Supporters Trust contacted the Metropolitan Police about events after the FA Cup match against Charlton in January. I received the following email from the Chelsea Supporters Trust earlier today: Following the events after Chelsea’s FA Cup tie at Charlton on 10 January, 2026, the Chelsea Supporters’ Trust (CST), working alongside the Chelsea Supporters Group (CSG), the Chelsea Supporters Club (CSC), and the Chelsea Disabled Supporters Association (CDSA), sought a full explanation from the Metropolitan Police regarding the treatment of Chelsea supporters. After extensive engagement, including raising the concerns reported to us by supporters and pressing for a formal review, we have received the Metropolitan Police’s response, which we are publishing in full below. While the Metropolitan Police maintain that the operational tactics used on the night were necessary to prevent disorder, they have acknowledged a number of shortcomings. We welcome the fact that these concerns have been recognised and that a number of improvements have been identified ahead of future fixtures. We expect the commitments outlined by the Metropolitan Police to be implemented in full. We would like to thank the many supporters who contacted us following the match to share their experiences. Their detailed accounts enabled us to robustly challenge what happened and ensure that supporters’ voices were heard throughout this process. As supporter organisations, we will continue to engage with the Metropolitan Police, Chelsea Football Club and other relevant authorities to ensure these lessons are acted upon and that supporters are treated with the respect, communication and care they deserve. Met Police Statement As outlined previously, this fixture was subject to evolving intelligence, indicating a credible risk of post-match disorder between supporter groups. In response, policing tactics were adapted dynamically during the match to prevent a breach of the peace. The decision to hold away supporters at the conclusion of the game was made in real time, based on updated risk assessments, and was considered necessary, proportionate, and ultimately effective in preventing disorder and ensuring public safety. Communication A consistent theme across the concerns raised relates to communication. The debrief found that messaging on the night was not as clear, timely, or coordinated as it should have been. This is an area the police, club and partners will look to address going forward. This impacted supporters’ understanding of police activity and contributed to frustration. Welfare and Facilities The decision to hold supporters outside the stadium, rather than within it, was influenced by the dynamic and unplanned nature of the situation, coupled with limitations in pre-identified holding options. It is acknowledged that this resulted in reduced access to facilities such as toilets, shelter, and refreshments. This is an area for improvement. Crowd Management and Movement Measures such as controlled release and cordons are designed to prevent surges, maintain order, and reduce the risk of opposing groups mixing. However, the debrief identified that greater clarity, planning, and communication are required to ensure these measures minimise distress to supporters. Support for Vulnerable Individuals Concerns regarding vulnerable individuals, including those wearing sunflower lanyards, are taken seriously. The debrief reinforces the importance of improved awareness and consideration of vulnerability within operational planning and officer briefings. Officer Briefing and Local Awareness It is recognised that some officers were not sufficiently familiar with local geography or transport options. This highlighted the need for improved briefing and stronger integration with transport and local authority partners. Actions and Improvements In response to the learning identified, the following actions are being progressed: Earlier and more frequent multi-agency planning for high-risk fixtures Development of dedicated, jointly owned communication plans Ensuring availability of communication equipment, including loud-hailers Pre-identification of suitable holding locations with access to welfare facilities Improved crowd flow and dispersal planning These measures are designed to ensure that future operations are safer, more coordinated, and more transparent. Conclusion While the tactics employed successfully mitigated a credible risk of disorder, we recognise that the experience for supporters did not meet expectations. It is worth noting that in similar circumstances where a risk of disorder is high a similar tactical approach could be deployed but with the learning captured by all should improve how this is delivered. The debrief process has been thorough, and we are committed to implementing the learning identified. On Behalf of Chelsea Supporters’ Trust

I missed the posts about the shirt, the Belgrano and the date. Indeed, the date is wrong. I could post a lot about the Falklands Conflict. Maybe in the History Thread. For purely selfish reasons, a shame that France lost last night as I had them in a sweepstake and if they had gone on to win the World Cup I would have won £480. Lots of books or roughly half the cost of my season ticket.

Superb goal. Brilliant passing and movement.

On Talking Pictures TV tomorrow, 15 July at 15.40 (U.K. time) is Carve Her Name With Pride. A film about Violette Szabo who served with the Special Operations Executive (SOE). She was assigned to F Section of the SOE. F was short for France. Virginia McKenna portrays Szabo. Those who served with the SOE were incredibly brave and if captured often suffered solitary confinement and torture. Szabo was captured and eventually was imprisoned in Ravensbruck where on the 5 February she was executed alongside Denise Bloch and Lilian Rolfe. Szabo was one of three women who served with the SOE to be awarded the George Cross. The George Crosses given to Szabo and Noor Inayat Khan were awarded posthumously. The other recipient of the George Cross was Odette Sansom. Maurice Buckmaster who was in charge of F Section of SOE appears in the film. It's a while since I've watched the film but I don't think the legendary Vera Atkins who was effectively Buckmaster's deputy in the SOE is portrayed. A very good film and definitely worth watching. Arguably Virginia McKenna's finest film role. The ending of the film is very poignant. The film is also on Youtube.

Statement by the board of Chelsea Pitch Owners: We are greatly saddened by the news that Ken Bates has passed away and send our condolences to Suzannah and all his family. Without Ken, the club we love might well have been lost. Without him, there would be no CPO. Turning fans into pitch owners is a unique legacy and a vision that we will continue to deliver

BBC SportWorld Cup 2026: Just Fontaine, the greatest World Cup goa...Just Fontaine's record of 13 goals in a single World Cup has stood for decades, but he never played in the tournament again after injury ended his career at the age of 28.