West Midlands police have warned that those involved in the violence that caused the first Black Country derby with supporters in 12 years to be suspended on Sunday can expect to be hit with “club bans and wider football banning orders”.
Play between West Brom and Wolves was stopped for 38 minutes in Sunday’s FA Cup tie after fans fought in the stands and invaded the pitch at the Hawthorns, forcing police to intervene and players to return to their dressing rooms. One man was taken to hospital with head injuries.
In total there were six arrests made, five during the game and one beforehand. With ages ranging from 16 to 58, the men were held on a variety of offences ranging from brandishing a corner flag to assaulting a police officer.
Chief inspector Tim Robinson of WM police said: “What we saw yesterday was completely unacceptable violence directed at both fans and officers, which sadly led to the suspension of the game. No football fan wants to see that. It’s important to stress however that it was very much a minority of fans involved in the trouble, and the vast majority of supporters were a credit to their clubs. We’ll be working with both clubs and the FA. Those involved in the disorder can expect to receive club bans and wider football banning orders.”
Robinson said the policing operation had been specifically targeted at those involved in the disorder, which began after Matheus Cunha scored the second goal in a 2-0 win for the away side. “Our policing operation was very much targeted against those who we know or suspect are involved in football violence, and our priority at all times is keeping people safe,” he said.
“A number of officers have been injured, and we have already started the process of reviewing evidence including body worn video and CCTV to ensure that we identify and arrest all of those involved over the coming days and weeks.”
In a statement released on Sunday night, West Brom said the club “condemns in the strongest terms the unsavoury scenes which disrupted Sunday’s Black Country derby at the Hawthorns. Any individual involved in the disorder will be subject to a club ban, in addition to potential criminal investigation.”
The FA has also confirmed that it is conducting an investigation into the disorder.
