UGLY SCENES marred a fiery Black Country Derby as fighting broke out among fans – forcing the FA Cup match to be suspended.
Police were forced to intervene as chaos broke out in one corner of the Hawthorns, moments after Matheus Cunha had put Wolves 2-0 up against West Brom in the 78th minute.
Supporters poured onto the pitch as police attempted to defuse a melee in the Birmingham Road End.
The game was suspended and both sets of players were taken off the pitch.
The disruption caused a lengthy delay as police and security personnel attempted to resolve the matter.
It is believed the trouble flared after some Wolves fans were found to have infiltrated the area, reserved for Albion supporters.
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Fighting broke out and in the bedlam scores of West Brom fans fought with police and stewards as they poured on to the pitch.
Reports claim a missile thrown from the crowd aimed at Matt Doherty hit a ball boy, who had to receive medical treatment.
All ball boys and girls were also taken off the pitch.
During the match, even before the trouble flared, Wolves midfielder Tommy Doyle had several plastic water bottles hurled towards him as he attempted to take a corner.
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There were several more arrests as Albion fans made their way on to the pitch.
One fan was escorted away by emergency services with blood gushing from a head wound, his face masked by his own blood, while another supporter was carried away on a stretcher.
The match was paused in the 81st minute with Wolves leading 2-0 thanks to goals from Cunha and Pedro Neto.
ITV commentator Sam Matterface said of the shocking scenes: “There does seem to be some troubling scenes.
“I think that’s because there are a few Wolves fans that might well have ended up in the home end. There’s actually some troubling situations here.
“A kid has had to be taken out of the crowd and on to the pitch to get him away. A West Brom fan is with the kid, he has gone over to make sure he is okay.
“The police are coming onto the pitch here and going over to that corner to try and sort things out.
“This is exactly the kind of thing we didn’t want to see. Derby day passion is great. Derby day intensity is great, but this sort of overspill is not acceptable in any sense.
“It’s getting really nasty. I think there are certain sections of the ground where Wolves fans have bought tickets.
“Police are having to use batons. It’s really ugly.”
Wolves and former Baggies player Craig Dawson appeared to pull one fan to safety as he was being attacked.
West Brom defender Kyle Bartley Albion was spotted cradling his young daughter in his arms.
Bartley did not come out for the restart and was substituted when the match kicked off again after a 32-minute delay.
The remaining ten minutes played out without incident as Wolves won 2-0 to progress to the FA Cup fifth round.
It is believed the violence broke out near where the players’ family and friends usually sit.
Reports before the game said about 250 riot police had been deployed to the area as there were fears that violence would break out.
The FA have released a statement on the incident which reads: “The disorder that occurred at the Black Country Derby between West Brom and Wolves is completely unacceptable.
“Safety and security are of the upmost importance, and the behaviour of those involved was dangerous and inexusable.
“We will be investigating these serious incidents alongside the clubs and relevant authorities, and the appropriate action will be taken.”
talkSPORT commentator at The Hawthorns Nigel Adderley saw the horrific scenes and described them on air
Adderley said: “That’s the area of the field where a number of the players’ families are during the games, which explains why the players were going over to the area.
“One or two people are being wrestled to the ground by police and stewards, a policeman has had his helmet knocked off as he grapples with a supporter.
“It’s all very close to the family stand here at the Hawthorns, and now Kyle Bartley has now gone across, he’s pointing at members of his family and one of the stewards is going across to make sure they are being led to safety.
“He’s now carrying a young child away from the situation, I think it could be one of his own children, he’s got his child out of the stand and I think he’s taking more children away from the scenes.
“Bartley is leading members of his family down the touchline, and they’ll go down the tunnel to safety.”
Three people were arrested – one before the game and two afterwards.
One supporter was taken to hospital.
West Midlands Police said in a statement: “We’ve had extra officers at this local derby and they responded immediately as disorder in the stands caused fans to spill onto the pitch.
“Two people were arrested for public order offences. We worked with officials to get the game restarted as soon as possible.
“Another man was arrested before the game for possession of an offensive weapon.”
A man has been taken to hospital with head injuries.
West Brom released a statement condemning the violence.
It read: “West Bromwich Albion Football Club condemns in the strongest terms the unsavoury scenes which disrupted Sunday’s Black Country derby at The Hawthorns.
“The match was temporarily halted in the 78th minute of the Emirates FA Cup fourth-round tie against Wolverhampton Wanderers following crowd disturbances.
“The club will work with West Midlands Police and the Football Association to fully investigate the incidents which resulted in a suspension to the game.
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“Any individual involved in the disorder will be subject to a club ban, in addition to potential criminal investigation.
“The club will make no further comment until the conclusion of a full and thorough investigation.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
