Portsmouth ball boy, 16, suffers hearing loss and is left 'shaken up' after flashbang detonates during derby clash with Southampton - as his mother opens up on impact of incident
A 16-year-old Portsmouth ball boy has been left unable to hear in one ear after a missile thrown from the stands exploded nearby during Sunday’s fiery south coast derby against Southampton at Fratton Park. Hayden Rogers was at the side of the pitch when the object landed just feet away. Although he was not directly hit, the explosion caused temporary hearing loss and a severe headache. Hayden received immediate medical attention at Portsmouth’s home ground and has been left shaken. They got to him so quickly to usher him off to see what had happened, so that was really fortunate.
Source: Metro January 27, 2026 14:25 UTC
