The Football Association has started an investigation into the crowd trouble that marred the first Black Country derby with supporters for 12 years as players had to leave the pitch for 35 minutes during Wolves’ 2-0 win at West Bromwich Albion in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday.
Fighting erupted in the corner of the Halfords Lane Stand in which some members of the West Brom players’ families were seated. It is claimed that the identity of a few Wolves fans in this area became apparent when they were seen celebrating Matheus Cunha’s goal in the 78th minute of the tie.
That prompted frightening scenes as the fighting spilled out on to the pitch. Missiles were thrown and the West Brom defender Kyle Bartley waded in to protect his family, emerging with his child in his arms before following the Wolves players down the tunnel on the officials’ advice.
Riot police were called in to join other police and stewards seeking to restore law and order. With 400 West Midlands Police stretched to the limit at hot spots at opposite ends of the ground, singular fans wandered out on to the pitch to taunt their opposing number before being led away by stewards.
There were five arrests during the game, plus one beforehand. At least one fan was also taken away on a stretcher while another with blood pouring from his head was escorted away with his arms held behind his back. A ball boy was hit on the head by a plastic bottle.
West Brom have pledged to ban for life any fan culpable in the fighting. “The club will work with West Midlands Police and the Football Association to fully investigate the incidents which resulted in a suspension to the game,” a club statement read. “Any individual involved in the disorder will be subject to a club ban, in addition to potential criminal investigation.”
Sanctions available to the FA range from a fine to partial stadium closure. In a statement, the governing body said: “The disorder that occurred … is completely unacceptable. Safety and security are of the utmost importance, and the behaviour of those involved is dangerous and inexcusable. We will be investigating these serious incidents alongside the clubs and the relevant authorities, and the appropriate action will be taken.”
The parents of Jed Wallace were in the corner where the trouble sparked. “Wolves and West Brom [are] two big clubs with very passionate fans,” the home captain said. “I understand the game meant a lot to both sets of players, both managers and both sets of fans and you don’t want to see that happening.
“That’s the family area so a few of the kids were over there, which is why you had the distress of a few players going over. I don’t really know what’s gone on, who’s in there, who shouldn’t be in there or whatever else. It’s a shame because the support was brilliant and it was an amazing atmosphere to play in.”
The game finished in relative calm after both managers, Carlos Corberán and Gary O’Neil, agreed to lead their teams back out together in a show of unity. “Obviously it was really disappointing,” O’Neil said. “Anyone that wants to come to a football match wants to feel safe. Children and elderly people could be in that area.
“Hopefully there’s no serious injuries or lasting effects to it. [It’s] really disappointing, [as] it’s a big FA Cup game between two local rivals and I thought the respect on the pitch between players and between myself and Carlos was excellent.”
Wolves’ official following of 3,997 was housed in the Smethwick End, at the opposite end of the ground from where the trouble started. “I thought they were excellent: the numbers that they came in, the noise that they made,” said O’Neil, whose team have been drawn at home against Brighton in the fifth round. “It’s 28 years since we’ve managed to win here so I hope they enjoyed it.”
