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) and the Chelsea Supporters Club (CSC), 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.
Metropolitan Police Response
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.
I hope this response provides reassurance that the concerns raised have been taken seriously and that meaningful improvements are being made.
Yours sincerely,
Superintendent David Rhodes
Operations – Public Order Command MO6