SAINTS have warned that the club could be forced to close blocks at St Mary's after fan trouble during their clash with Leeds. 

As the club prepares to face Manchester United today, bosses say fan behaviour is being watched closely after problems during Saints' first home game of the season. 

Fans running on the pitch, using pyrotechnics and surging towards away fans have all been issues in the past. 

But now blocks are at risk of being closed after observers from the Premier League and Southampton City Council witnessed them firsthand during the clash with Leeds.

John D'arcy, head of venue safety and security at St Mary's told the Echo the observers "were not impressed". 

Daily Echo: St Mary's Stadium.St Mary's Stadium.

"If the behaviour doesn't improve this week then we may have to close one or two blocks within the stadium.

"They are going to come down on us quite hard. We are being watched very closely." 

Mr D'arcy went on to say that he doesn't think this is just a Southampton problem, but that they saw a rise in this behaviour throughout last year. 

"Every club is feeling the pain. Ever since Covid. 

"These are young men and women who at the prime of their teenage lives were locked up for two years. 

"they are fed up of being told what to do. It was by far the minority. 99 per cent supported the club well."

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The incidents come after recent court hearings saw people banned for throwing missiles and running onto the pitch.

But now the club says the Manchester United clash will be important to decide what to do going forward. 

Changes that are being considered, if things don't improve, include a London Stadium-style wall to separate home and away fans. 

This could mean fewer seats and the closure of certain parts of the stands. 

Tim Greenwell, chief legal and risk officer added: "We're not trying to blame our fans for this. It is individual behaviour which we know is dangerous to other people. 

"What we're not saying is we expect everyone to be silent. "Last year we had some people feed back to us that at times they felt a little uncomfortable. 

"Come along and support us passionately. The team do get a lift when the stadium is loud.

"We want people to enjoy coming to St Mary's and feel it is their home. But there has to be a line to make sure everyone is safe."

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