Following crowd disturbances, West Bromwich Albion FA Cup fourth-round matc’sh against Wolverhampton Wanderers was postponed for more than thirty minutes. Six people were arrested and one guy was sent to the hospital.
Fights looked to be breaking out in the Hawthorns stand, and police had to go in to break them up. Additionally, a ball boy was struck by a crowd-sourced object.
While police appeared to control the crowd with batons, players were taken off the field. Some of the fans who spilled onto the field were bleeding.
Five persons were detained for violating the peace, according to a statement from West Midlands Police (WMP), while one guy was detained ahead of the game for having an offensive weapon. A man with head injuries was also brought to the hospital.
“We had extra officers at this local derby and they responded immediately as fans spilled onto the pitch due to disorder in the stands,” the WMP stated.
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The incident took place after Pedro Neto’s first-half goal was doubled by Matheus Cunha in the 77th minute, putting Wolves ahead by two goals.
There were little over ten minutes remaining in regular time when the game was suspended.
There was a 37-minute intermission before play started again in the 78th minute. In the tunnel, West Brom manager Carlos Corberan and Wolves head coach Gary O’Neil agreed that the teams would reassemble as one to symbolize solidarity.
The Football Association (FA), which described the act as “completely unacceptable,” has indicated that they will be looking into what transpired.
According to an FA statement, “safety and security are of the utmost importance, and the behavior of those involved was dangerous and inexcusable.”
West Brom said they would collaborate with WYP and the FA “to fully investigate the incidents which resulted in a suspension to the game” and that they “condemn in the strongest terms the unsavoury scenes” that caused disruptions to the match.
“Any individual involved in the disorder will be subject to a club ban, in addition to possible criminal investigation,” stated in the statement. The club will hold off on commenting until after a comprehensive investigation is complete.
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Observing certain West Brom players “having to carry their children out of the stand,” O’Neil continued.
“I didn’t see much; I saw a little overspill in the far corner from where I am, but I couldn’t tell what was going on,” the man stated.
“Obviously, that was quite disappointing. People who attend football games want to feel protected, and since children and the elderly may be present, those kinds of occurrences shouldn’t even need to be discussed.
It’s disappointing that incidents that occurred off the field now need to be discussed and, I’m sure, investigated. My main thought is that I hope everyone is okay because I know there were families and kids of players in that neighborhood.
“That should never ever be the case, and I’m just disappointed that I witnessed some WBA players having to carry their kids out of the stands.” Disappointedly, no one should ever have to go through that. I hope that everyone returns home safely and that nothing foolish occurs afterwards.
“Obviously, we’re extremely disappointed with any forms of aggressive behavior that have regrettably occurred, especially when you’re standing close to this incident,” Corberan stated.
This may be a synopsis of this game, in my opinion, when our fans were outstanding.
They cultivated a unique environment. Everything was unbelievable up until the incident in terms of the atmosphere they produced.
“We need to discuss something right now, something that we strongly oppose in football.”
With the win, Wolves guaranteed their place in the FA Cup fifth round.
