First-half fallout
The clock then hit 15:00, and the referee blew his whistle, and The Valley faithful released beach balls onto The Valley pitch to disrupt the game, which delayed the game for 7 minutes. The same balls which were used against Boro, but a lot more were being hurled onto the pitch.
1' Play is stopped as a large number of inflatable balls are thrown onto the pitch #cafc #CAFCLive
— Charlton Athletic FC (@CAFCofficial) April 23, 2016
Charlton fans have been protesting at today’s game against Brighton–beach ball style (🎥 via @PatrickGoss) pic.twitter.com/3BotLgC4r1
— B/R Football (@brfootball) April 23, 2016
Charlton athletic fans protesting #CAFC. throwing beach balls onto the pitch. I agree with every one 👏👏#CAFC https://t.co/jpLgwTiJkN
— best days away days (@awayfans77) April 23, 2016
https://twitter.com/theawayfans/status/723877368755003393
Balls to Roland #WeWantOurCharltonBack #cafc pic.twitter.com/UDV8WWYKFX
— Chris Taylor (@theboytaylor76) April 23, 2016
Rumours that even people around the management and board of Charlton, in the Directors box, were taking part in the applauding of “We Want Roland Out”.
Some of the #CAFC Directors box clapping along to we want Roland out
— Barnie_uk (@barnie_uk) April 23, 2016
The game then continued, and in the first minute of play commencing Brighton went 1-0 up. However, fans took to Twitter to say Brighton should have the win, today is about removing our owner and returning the soul back to the club. When the Seagulls scored, some Addicks were even celebrating.
https://twitter.com/skidmarky67/status/723877797035429888
https://twitter.com/FreddiePSS/status/723877708002918401
Goal. Brighton. 0-1. Charlton fans around me are celebrating… #cafc
— News Shopper Sport (@NewsShopperSprt) April 23, 2016
To add to the chants, Dale Stephens, midfielder for Brighton who used to play for Charlton, applauded the Charlton fans after Brighton scored their first goal, regarding the protests and efforts to get their club back.
Dale Stephens applauds #cafc fans after Brighton take the lead.
— Jimmy Stone (@JimmyStone_) April 23, 2016
The game continued for the next 20 minutes, until there were more stoppages due to more balloons and balls being thrown on the pitch, and the well known chant: “We Want Roland Out” echoing around the Stadium.
27 minutes in, further stoppages #card #WeWantOurCharltonBack #wewantrolandout pic.twitter.com/oRNqAIfhVf
— Gerry (@guinnessaddick) April 23, 2016
Game stopped again! More balloons and beach balls on #cafc @bbclondonsport
— Louis Mendez (@LouisMend) April 23, 2016