Steve Bruce slams 'ridiculous' clapperboards decison

The boards were handed out by the hosts with the intention of creating a vibrant atmosphere at St Andrew’s.

But instead many were used as missiles to target Villa players at set-pieces, with referee Andrew Madley being forced to stop the game on at least two occasions in order for the cardboard souvenirs to be cleared off the pitch.

Two Villa players are also understood to have been hit by coins during the 0-0 draw, with Ahmed Elmohamady handing one to the officials.

And Bruce said: “Whoever made the ridiculous decision to have clappers here they obviously don't know Birmingham fans.

“The Birmingham fans don't need a clapperboard – that's the last thing they need.

“They used them as a weapon – in all seriousness, somebody could have been badly hurt by them.

“They were rolled up, with elastic bands around them and they became like a rock.

“So whoever has made that ridiculous decision at having clappers at a game like this only fuelled it.

“We saw it at the first corner of the game we got – the game had to be stopped, as it was for free kicks.

“Thankfully nobody got caught by it but people could have done.

“Two of the players got hit so whoever made that ridiculous decision, I don't think they will do it again.”

Blues boss Steve Cotterill meanwhile felt the clapperboard barrage had a negative effect on the home team.

“(The clappers) might have actually hindered us,” he said. “I know they were being thrown about and all of that business but they might have actually hindered us because when they came on the pitch, it slowed our momentum down.

“That’s a decision I’m sure the club will look at in the future.”