Bradford City have condemned the throwing of a flare which injured a supporter during Saturday's match against Newport County.
The Bantams have said the person(s) found responsible would face "the strongest possible action". Chief executive Ryan Sparks also said that the "utterly sickening" incident shows a complete disregard for the club's history.
He was referring to the Valley Parade fire disaster which happened in 1985 and saw 56 people lose their lives when the main stand in the ground burned down during a league game against Lincoln City. On Saturday, the incident saw a flare thrown from the upper tier of the Kop, resulting in a fan being injured in the lower section.
Sparks told the club's website: "Given our history, and what many of our supporters have been through together, it was utterly sickening to see a pyrotechnic deployed inside Valley Parade yesterday.
“After what our club has experienced, it is abhorrent to think one of our own supporters would show such a disregard for our history, and such disrespect to fellow supporters. Yesterday’s events will have no doubt affected a number of people who were made to witness them. For that, on behalf of the football club, I would like to apologise.
“It is incredibly disappointing to be discussing this kind of behaviour so early into the new season, given the statement issued recently concerning misconduct on matchday and its implications - both in terms of the club’s finances and reputation.
“When we find those responsible, they will face the strongest-possible action, and we urge anyone with information to step forward and assist with our investigations.”
The club, who are seeking witnesses to come forward and help identify those responsible, say they could be subject to sanctions from the footballing authorities as a result of the incident.
A club statement added: "The club is seeking witnesses to help identify those responsible. We are also reviewing CCTV footage, and hope to provide West Yorkshire Police with images to further identify suspects. The person(s) found responsible will face an indefinite suspension for all Bradford City fixtures, as will anyone connected to the incident, or trying to conceal it."
The incident overshadowed Bradford's impressive 2-0 win over the ten-man Exiles, a result which secured a first league win of the season for Mark Hughes' side.
Goals in either half from Richie Smallwood and Harry Chapman saw Bradford seal the points and build on a shock midweek EFL Cup win over Championship side Hull.
Hughes reflected: "It has been a strong week, we have gone up against two good teams and had two great wins. I thought we managed the game out quite easily towards the end, but without creating enough chances given that we had the extra man, that was a little bit disappointing. But we are still working on those areas where we can exploit teams when we are in the ascendancy, but that will come, it is only three games in."
