League One

WIGAN and Bolton Wanderers stars were embroiled in a huge on-pitch melee last night that saw both managers also get involved.The Latics claimed a 1-0 Lancashire derby victory over the Trotters thanks to Stephen Humphrys’ 69th-minute goal.
The derby between Wigan and Bolton ended in a huge on-pitch brawlCredit: Getty
Bolton boss Ian Evatt was spotted rowing with Wigan staff during the meleeCredit: Getty
That was enough to seal Wigan a double over their promotion-chasing League One rivals this term.
However, tensions boiled over after the full-time whistle between the neighbours when the celebrations from the hosts proved to be too much for visiting Bolton at the DW Stadium.
And that led to a huge melee between players and staff from the two ex-Premier League clubs.
The trouble started when Bolton’s Icelandic striker Jon Dadi Bodvarsson, 31, confronted opponent Jason Kerr before several other home team players rushed over to push him away.
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Stephen Humphrys was also involved in shoving the Trotters ace away but the real row erupted several moments later on the edge of the area in front of the away supporters.
The camera did not catch exactly what triggered it, but all of a sudden hordes of players from both Wigan and Bolton were pushing and shoving Callum McManaman, a member of the 2013 FA Cup winning Wigan side, looking to be in the centre of it.
The argy-bargy continued as more people got involved, before Humphrys was eventually ushered away and things began to calm down.
Both teams could now potentially face punishment from the FA.
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Bolton boss Ian Evatt claimed afterwards that the row started due to Wigan celebrating and winding up the away supporters.
He said: “We won’t accept one of their players celebrating in front of our supporters.
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“Go and celebrate with your own fans, no issue with that, but not ours.
“You certainly shouldn’t be celebrating when you are mid-table.”
Meanwhile, his opposite number Shaun Maloney said: “I think their manager thought one of our players was over-celebrating in the far corner.
“But there’s no hard feelings on either side, these are just emotional moments.”
The result left Bolton third in the table and outside of the automatic promotion spots on goal difference.
Wigan are 13th, 11 points above the relegation spots and 15 off the play-off places.
Evatt accused Wigan’s players of over-celebrating in front of the away endCredit: Getty
Bolton’s Jon Dadi Bodvarsson confronted Wigan players to kickstart the meleeCredit: Rex More

CRISIS club Reading have received their third points deduction of the season.The Royals were docked a point in August for breaching EFL regulations, with a further three suspended.
Reading FC have been handed a latest points deductionCredit: Getty
The following month they triggered their extra three-point deduction, after failing to deposit 125 per cent of their monthly wage bill into an account by a date agreed to by the EFL.
Ruben Selles’ side will now now been docked an extra two points.
During 2023 the Royals were late paying HMRC for over 100 days, with EFL rules prohibiting more than 80.
The extra deduction has seen Reading fall to 19th in the League One table, just three points above the relegation zone.
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Their points deduction is their fifth in the last three years.
They have now been docked a total of 18 points, dating back to their time in the Championship.
Reading fans have frequently protested against owner Dai Yongge this season.
In September they had a match against Burton suspended after launching tennis balls onto the pitch.
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Players were shepherded down the tunnel as the mess was cleared.
In January a clash with Port Vale was abandoned after fans invaded the pitch en masse.
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Dai previously owned Chinese Super League club Beijing Renhe, which folded in 2021 after falling into China League One.
He purchased a 75 per cent stake in Reading in May 2017.
The Royals lost 3-2 at home to Shrewsbury last Saturday.
They are set to make the long trip to bottom-of-the-table Carlisle this weekend, and are expected to be backed by 1,300 travelling supporters.
Reading fans have protested against owner Dai YonggeCredit: PA More

EFL fans joked Carlisle deserved “automatic relegation” for a hilarious own goal.The Cumbrians hosted Cambridge at Brunton Park on Saturday afternoon.
A Cambridge cross from the right looked to be simple to deal withCredit: EFL
Goalkeeper Harry Lewis dropped the ball against the head of Samuel LavelleCredit: EFL
But it was a nightmare for League One’s bottom side as they were thumped 4-0 at home.
And they did not help themselves as the goalkeeper and defender combined for their baffling blunder.
Already trailing, Carlisle fell 2-0 down on 69 minutes.
Cambridge whipped in a cross from the right – but it looked like there was no danger as it bounced inside the six-yard box towards ‘keeper Harry Lewis.
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Lewis, though, inexplicably let the ball slip through his fingers and it inadvertently cannoned off the head of nearby centre-half Samuel Lavelle.
And Lavelle, Lewis nor covering defender Ben Barclay were able to do anything as the ball bounced slowly over the line and into the back of the net for a bizarre own goal.
The accidental goalscorer and his goalkeeper looked at each other perplexed as Cambridge celebrated somewhat sheepishly.
And supporters piled in with brilliant reactions online.
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One said: “Sorry Carlisle but this should mean automatic relegation.”
Another wrote: “That is Sunday league.”
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A third added: “I’d be embarrassed by that in our kickabouts on a Tuesday lunchtime.”
A fourth commented: “I appreciate that, when you’re going down, nothing goes right, but this is just a dumb, dumb goal conceded by Carlisle.”
And a final user simply blasted: “Unacceptable.”
The afternoon only went from bad to worse for Carlisle as Elias Kachunga and Ryan Bennett completed the rout and secured what could be three crucial points in their fight to avoid relegation.
Carlisle, however, have now lost seven in a row and remain 24th on 20 points, 13 from safety with 14 games remaining. More

OXFORD UNITED have outlined plans to build the “most-sustainable mid-sized sports venue in the country”.The U’s are contracted to play at their current Kassam Stadium home until 2026.
Oxford United have unveiled their new stadium plansCredit: Oxford United football club
The League One side plan for their new ground to be the first all-electric stadium in the countryCredit: Oxford United football club
Rather than extending their agreement, they are looking to build a new ground at The Triangle in Kidlington.
In addition to a slew of modern facilities, the proposed ground is set to become the nation’s first all-electric stadium.
Rather than gas and other fossil fuels, Oxford’s new build will rely solely on electricity.
The 16,000-seater stadium will also feature 3000m² solar panels along its roof – enough to boil three million three-litre kettles per year.
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On the new project, Oxford’s development director Jon Clarke said: “The standout element of the stadium is it will be the most sustainable mid-sized sports venue in the country.
“We want to make the most of the opportunity to create something special – it would be one of the greenest football stadiums to be built.”
Oxford recently signed the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework.
The Framework aims to help tackle the climate crisis.
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On the thinking behind Oxford’s green new stadium, Clarke added: “The stadium design has sustainability and visitor experience at its core.
“We’ve maximised modern technology, design and progressive thinking to create the benchmark for future design of stadiums with the protection of our planet in firm focus.
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“By avoiding natural gas usage on site and by using highly efficient equipment to serve a high-quality building, the carbon emissions associated with this unique venue will be radically reduced resulting in a very low impact home.”
Oxford’s new facility is also set to include a 180-bed hotel, restaurant and conference centre.
There will also be a heath & wellbeing space, gym and community plaza.
The League One side have confirmed that they are preparing their full planning application in preparation for submission.
Oxford’s chief executive Tim Williams said last October: “With our right to use the Kassam Stadium coming to an end in 2026 and no option to renew the lease, we must find a new home.
“The club is committed to developing a proposal which is highly sustainable and community focused whilst providing a state-of-the-art destination for all.
“The further detail we have released today shows how seriously we take these principles, and I am delighted to share the first glimpse of our stadium with the whole of Oxfordshire.
“I hope everyone from Kidlington, the surrounding areas and across the county will come to the exhibition and take a look at the plans.
“We want to hear all your feedback.”
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Oxford want their new stadium to incorporate a tight bowl – a far cry from their current three-stand Kassam home.
They also plan for both their men’s and women’s team to play at their stadium, which they feel will be better connected by public transport.
Oxford’s current Kassam Stadium home only has three sidesCredit: Rex More