Troublemakers will be banned from West Brom after Chelsea disorder

Martin Goodman today said the club would be carrying out its own investigation into the disorder and planned to punish troublemakers, irrespective of any police action.

Six Chelsea supporters and three Baggies fans were arrested after trouble broke out in the home end where some away supporters had been watching Chelsea's 1-0 win.

Goodman also reiterated that action would be taken against any Albion supporters found to have sold tickets to Chelsea fans, and criticised the people who 'put profit before their team'.

Tickets had been selling for as much as £1,700 before the match, with many Chelsea followers desperate to see their side secure the Premier League title.

“We made it plain with our warnings before the game that any of our supporters who could be traced selling on tickets to visiting supporters faced sanctions from the club," Goodman said.

“We will continue that process next week. Naturally it is a matter of great disappointment for all at Albion and our thousands of genuine fans that a tiny minority would put profit before backing their team.

“We will also co-operate fully with police to help identify anyone clearly guilty of disorder offences during the disturbance."

Videos shot by Albion fans showed Chelsea supporters who had been sitting in the home end fighting with regulars after openly celebrating Michy Batshuayi's goal eight minutes from time.

The game had to be stopped briefly when a couple of visiting fans in the wrong end invaded the pitch and ran towards the away fans in the Smethwick End.

However Goodman emphasised that the incidents were 'brief and isolated' and he praised the Albion side's efforts during the final home game of the season.

“On the pitch, the team could not have done more and I am sure all Albion fans were proud of a terrific performance," he said.

“Off the pitch, we coped with enormous demands in staging a game of such importance and have been rightly praised for how we delivered.”

Seven of the men arrested have been charged with invading the pitch and bailed.

Two others, a 32-year-old man from Suffolk suspected of criminal damage and assault and a 35-year-old man from Solihull arrested for a public order offence, have been bailed pending further enquiries.

Chief Inspector Nick Rowe, from West Midlands Police, said most fans had behaved well and played down the 'minor' disturbances.

“Overall it was a great evening match with an intense atmosphere, with the majority of fans behaving really well and enjoying the game, with only relatively minor issues dealt with by officers," he said.

Six of the men charged with pitch incursion will appear at Dudley Magistrates Court on May 26 and one will appear on May 30.