11 arrested after City and Argyle fans clash

On Good Friday (14 April) Plymouth Argyle played an away fixture at Portsmouth, whilst Exeter City played at home to Barnet. 

During the evening, opposing risk fans from Exeter City and Plymouth Argyle were involved in an incident in Exeter.

The incident involved serious disorder, believed to be football-related between opposing Exeter City FC and Plymouth Argyle risk groups.  

As a result of enquiries made since this incident, a pre-planned operation was instigated and carried out on Wednesday 10 May which involved police officers in both Exeter and Plymouth who attended various addresses in both cities resulting in, eleven arrests were made. Seven of which have been bailed, four were released under investigation and one who later attended on a voluntary basis was reported.

Football and Sporting Sgt Vicky Howell said: “Football violence will not be tolerated. Devon and Cornwall Police will continue to work in partnership with football clubs around football related offences to ensure sporting stadia is safe and can be enjoyed as a family community event. 

"Our work will continue around safeguarding and we will take a robust approach to disorder through the criminal justice system in the application of Football banning Orders to support this vision.”

A spokesman for Exeter City Football Club said: “Exeter City prides itself as a community club and these people are not true fans of Exeter City FC.

"We work hard with Devon and Cornwall Police to ensure that safety of our true fans at St James Park is paramount at all times and this is reflected in the experience that match days bring at St James Park.

"Whilst we will always enjoy the rivalry on the pitch we have positive working relationships with Plymouth Argyle off the pitch and will continue to work with both them and Devon and Cornwall Police to remove such elements that purport to be fans of Exeter City.”

Sgt Howell continued: “In partnership with Exeter City Football Club [ECFC), we are currently planning the league two play-off return leg fixture where ECFC will play Carlisle on Thursday 18 May at St James Park. 

"Please do not risk a criminal record and a potential football banning order by committing offences. We wish for the communities of Devon and Cornwall and visiting fans to enjoy the game and the wonderful event that has been brought to the city of Exeter.”