Gillingham Football Club’s game with Swindon Town on Saturday April 21st could go ahead to empty stands after a row over police costs.

With Swindon challenging for promotion to League One and there being a chance they could seal the Championship at Priestfield, they are expected to bring a larger crowd than usual.

With a larger crowd comes increased policing costs and as it stands, The Gills aren’t prepared to pay those costs.

That has forced Medway Council to issue a prohibition notice that would prevent fans from being able to watch the game.

Councillor Mike O’Brien, from Medway Council, issued the following statement:

“Due to a dispute between Gillingham FC and Kent Police about the costs and number of police officers needed at Priestfield Stadium for the match against Swindon Town on April 21, we have unfortunately been left with no alternative but to issue a prohibition notice on the game preventing supporters from attending.

“We have done this following advice from Kent Police that they have specific intelligence concerning the match and its fans. We are satisfied that the intelligence provided shows the police are clearly right to have serious concerns about public order at the ground and that the risk is so serious for fans that, until steps have been taken to reduce it to a reasonable level through agreeing adequate policing levels, spectators will be prohitibted from attending the match.

“As the licensing authority, it is our responsibility to ensure football matches are safe for all attending the match.

“We fully sympathise with all the fans that want to watch this match and we sincerely hope that Gillingham FC and the police can get together urgently to resolve this matter and enable the match to go ahead with supporters from both clubs able to watch an exciting football match in a safe environment.”

A spokesman for Swindon Town Football Club (STFC) said: “At this stage STFC are in continued talks with Gillingham to get the matter resolved.”

It’s not the first time this has happened this season, with Medway Council issuing a prohibition notice prior to the FA Cup Third Round clash with Stoke City.

The Gills and the police eventually settled their differences and the game went ahead as planned.

Previous ties between Gillingham and Swindon Town have attracted a larger than usual police presence, with officers in riot gear and officers on horseback having been present in recent years.

Gillingham Football Club have thus far failed to respond to the situation and have issued no statement regards the Swindon Town tie.