Pompey fearing fine over Newport smoke bombs

In the second-half of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy defeat at Rodney Parade on Tuesday night, two devices were released from the away end.

At one point, white smoke drifted across the goal the Blues were attacking and onto the pitch.

Pompey must now see whether referee Graham Scott mentions the incidents in his match report to the Football Association.

In turn, there will also have to be a report lodged by the stadium’s safety and security officer, the entire time frame expected to be a week.

The Blues escaped a fine in April following a pitch invasion by some fans at Brentford at the final whistle.

Yet the fear is they may not escape such a financial punishment on this occasion.

Chief executive Mark Catlin said: ‘We are always at risk of a fine if our fans misbehave.

‘Like most other people, I saw two smoke bombs on Tuesday night and we are awaiting to see what happens next regarding any punishment.

‘On the whole the fans are fantastic, let me make that clear.

‘But there have been a few instances from a few individuals which can affect the club and we are hoping nothing escalates.

‘People have worked so hard and put their hard-earned money into shares at the club – you don’t want to be using money to pay fines.

‘We are a community-owned club, we are all in it together.

‘But one or two instances could see us all being tarred with the same brush.’

There have been two instances in the last four years of flares being released at Fratton Park, both from the away end.