Ban on Cardiff fans to be lifted

Cardiff City fans will have to be on their best behaviour between now and March if they want to come back to Wolverhampton.

The Bluebirds' supporters were banned from Molineux in January this year after a trip to the city in March 2006 cost Wolves £75,000 in policing fees.

The ban last season prompted a demonstration in the city centre by Bluebirds fans with some talking of hiring an airship to watch the game from above.

Wolves today confirmed Cardiff would be welcome back at Molineux for the match on April 5 next year but that the situation could change pending a decision of the Wolverhampton Safety Advisory Group. The group, made up of representatives from the city council, West Midlands Police and Wolves, will meet a few weeks before the match to decide if it is safe for Cardiff fans to go to Molineux.

Sandwell's own safety advisory group has already decided to allow Cardiff supporters into The Hawthorns for the January 19 clash with West Bromwich Albion.

Wolves chief executive Jez Moxey said the Safety Advisory Group would take past experiences and the latest intelligence into account when making their decision.

"Whilst I can't say for absolute certain that Cardiff fans will be allowed to attend, I am hopeful that the action we took in excluding them last season will have been a one-off and that we will be able to welcome them back to Molineux in April," he added. Last season's ban came after riot police clashed with Cardiff fans.