Hunt begins for West Bromwich Albion and Aston Villa hooligans
The hunt for hooligans who brought chaos to the weekend's ill-tempered Midlands derby began today with troublemakers facing lengthy banning orders from both clubs.
The Football Association has launched a probe into the ugly scenes during the FA Cup quarter final between Aston Villa and West Brom at Villa Park on Saturday.
Police are also to carry out an investigation after making 17 arrests before and during the game where thousands of fans invaded the pitch before and after the final whistle.
Villa said misbehaving fans had let 'themselves and their club down', while in a statement, bosses at West Brom said they would co-operate with the Football Association investigation, adding they would take a zero-tolerance stance toward any troublemakers.
The unrest included:
West Broms Callum McManaman and Boaz Myhill being confronted by dozens of fans as they fled the field
West Brom and former Villa player Craig Gardner being pelted with coins as he made his way down the touchline after being substituted
West Brom fans accused of hurling plastic seats from the upper tier of the North Stand, hitting and injuring a Villa fan
Rival fans brawling in the Witton Arms ahead of the game
The scenes occurred in a weekend of football-related violence, which saw a Watford fan left fighting for his life after being attacked by a mob as he left Molineux following the 2-2 draw.
Last night, West Bromwich Albion said in a statement: "The club is aware of reports of serious misbehaviour involving some of its own supporters. It issues an uncompromising reminder today that any supporter found guilty of disorder offences can expect the appropriate sanction from the club.
"The club also welcomes the FA investigation into the scenes and how they came about; West Bromwich Albion will co-operate fully."
It added: "Pitch invasions cannot be tolerated under any circumstances. The safety of the club's players and staff during and at the end of the game was clearly compromised and that has to be a subject of deep concern for everyone involved." Emotions ran high throughout the game, with Albion looking to bounce back from Villa's league win just five days earlier. Injuries have also been reported among Villa fans seated below the travelling Albion contingent in the North Stand. One fan needed his head glued after being left covered in blood having been hit with a chair. John Homer, chairman of West Bromwich Albion supporters' club, said there was no justification for fans throwing chairs but having a 5.30pm kick-off was 'asking for trouble'.
He added: "The fans who did that should be ashamed of themselves and they deserve whatever punishment they get. The game should never have been allowed to happen at 5.30pm on a Saturday. The game should have happened at lunchtime."
Aston Villa said: "The club does not condone supporters invading the field of play. We are very disappointed that what should have been a very memorable and proud moment for our fans was marred by the actions of those who could not control themselves."
The Watford fan has been named locally as 44-year-old Nick Cruwys. He was attacked as he made his way to the train station after the match ended.
Police said he and his friends were completely outnumbered by the attackers and he was left with a life-threatening head injury. Wolves fans have begun an online fundraising campaign for him.
