ALBION today backed boss Micky Adams over the Battle of Longford.

Adams brought all his players off the field shortly before half-time of the pre-season friendly in the Irish town on Saturday.

The manager expressed concern for his players' safety as the game descended into uproar, with almost all 22 players caught up in clashes, and was critical of inexperienced referee Dermot Tone.

Albion chief executive Martin Perry said: "Until Micky gets back from Ireland and we get a full report there is not much to say, but it does seem he took his decision because he wanted to protect the players.

"It appears the referee was not sufficiently experienced to be able to handle the situation. So the club support Micky's decision to abandon the match from a safety point of view."

The Seagulls cancelled the final friendly of the tour against Athlone last night.

Albion chairman Dick Knight said: "It is very unfortunate. We've been over there for three years in a row and it has always been very friendly but in the circumstances we had no alternative but to cancel the final leg.

"As for Saturday, according to eye witness reports, the match did get out of control. That is not acceptable and cannot be condoned.

"The club are ready to co-operate with the FAs of Ireland and England. We will submit a full report to the English FA."

FAI officials in Dublin were last night still awaiting referee Dermot Tone's report into Saturday's events but a spokesman said: "We have no jurisdiction over Brighton.

"I cannot say what might happen. Brighton will be able to obtain a copy of the report if they wish.

"It's not for us to comment on what happened but we've never known a manager call off a match before."

The spokesman said his association had no problem with the appointment of Tone, a lower league referee, to Saturday's fixture.

The Flancare Park brawl was still the talk of Longford yesterday.

The Irish national press have given the match extensive coverage, putting it on a par with the top sports stories including Mick Kinane's Ascot triumph on Galileo.

Disappointed Athlone boss Liam Buckley said he understood Adam's decision.

He added: "I spoke to Micky on Sunday and I can share his feelings."

Mike Donovan mike.donovan @argus-btn.co.uk