Father and son given five year ban from football matches
Stephen and Kenan Staplehurst have also received an indefinite ban from Brighton games
Last updated 31st Aug 2023
A father and son from Sussex have been banned from all professional football matches for five years.
41-year-old Stephen Staplehurst of Penfold Road in Worthing, and 23-year-old Kenan of Dale Avenue in Hassocks, admitted to assaulting a fellow supporter outside the American Express Stadium in Brighton in October 2021.
It's after they were removed from North Stand of the stadium, alongside their victim and another man, during a game.
Their victim received a broken nose and cheek bone.
The Staplehursts were also given an 18-month suspended prison sentence, and were ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work.
Brighton and Hove Albion have also banned them from attending the club's matches indefinitely, saying they "do not tolerate violent behaviour."
Sussex Police's Dedicated Football Officer PC Darren Balkham described the Staplehursts' behaviour as "appalling."
“This ugly behaviour is not welcome in our beautiful game, and they are both now banned from attending professional football matches."
PC Balkham added the police's actions demonstrated their "determination to catch offenders and ensure that the vast majority of football supporters can attend matches safely and enjoy the game free of violence.”