Of course it is a surprise. Rules would suggest 10% of capacity is given over to the away teams fans up to 3,000 tickets, this happens week in, week out up and down the country. It also happens for many matches just as volatile as Albion v Palace and for some far more likely to end up in...
The important words in the article are 'on Police advice'. The clubs agree to this and the Police continue to help and liaise with them in a positive manner, if the clubs ignore the 'advice' then attitude from the Police will one where the football club(s) are seen as a problem issue which needs...
Everything that is wrong in the UK and the world today. Many existing rules/guidelines/laws voted upon by national governments/parliaments are not enforced, but law enforcement agencies choose to create their own rules because it makes their life easier (see Lewes Bonfire Celebrations)...