Albion act quickly after G7 helicopters change training camp plans

Brighton and Hove Albion FC Football Sport

Albion staff have been praised for their rapid action on last-minute training camp plans.

Helicopter landings from the recent G7 summit have forced the club to cancel their pre-season camp.

Brighton had planned to spend their pre-season training camp in Evian-les-Bains.

The Seagulls were planning to stay between July 23 and August 1.

But after an advance group of Albion staff arrived on Wednesday to prepare for the squad's arrival, they discovered the pitches were no longer fit for use.

Brighton staff, including sporting director Mike Cave, Gary Walker and Emily Keeley have been praised for their efforts in putting a contingency plan in operation.

Hurzeler's squad were set to stay at the Hotel Royal Resort and train on nearby pitches throughout the trip.

Now, the club has cancelled the training camp, called off Saturday's friendly against Ligue 2 side Annecy and quickly organised an alternative base in Austria.

In June, the pitches were transformed into helicopter landing zones for the G7 summit, welcoming world leaders including U.S. President Donald Trump, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and other heads of state.

The summit focused on major global issues including artificial intelligence, climate change and economic security.

Despite this, their second pre-season fixture against Ligue 1 outfit Strasbourg on August 1 is still expected to go ahead.

The squad remained at their Lancing training base on Thursday, July 23rd and are set to play an in-house behind-closed-doors fixture on Saturday 25th.

They travel to Austria the following day.

The disruption to Brighton's pre-season preparations is understood to have been minimal.

Albion also have home friendlies agaisnt Serie A sides Roma on August 8th as well as Bologna on August 15th.