Match suspended amid clashes; six arrests made in the first Black Country Derby since 2012
Fan violence halts West Brom vs Wolves FA Cup during the fourth-round tie at The Hawthorns This whole disturbance led to the suspension of the match for over 30 minutes. This event marked the first Black Country derby since 2012 which unfortunately turned into all-out chaos. Things started to fall out when the Wolves scored their second goal, leading to clashes among fans. West Midlands Police arrested six individuals, five for public order offences and one for carrying an offensive weapon.
The Football Association (FA) has committed to investigating these events, which they deemed “inexcusable.” The disturbance, which broke out after Wolves’ Matheus Cunha scored in the 78th minute, escalated to a point where riot police and paramedics had to intervene. Shocking images emerged, including one of a fan with a head injury.
West Brom’s Kyle Bartley escorted two children away from the chaos. Carlos Corberan, the team manager, said that no family members of the players had been harmed.
The club strongly condemned the violence and pledged cooperation with the police and the FA in the investigation, stating that anyone involved would face a club ban and potential legal action. The FA, in a statement, emphasized the importance of safety and security, labelling the behaviour of those involved as dangerous and unacceptable.
West Brom vs Wolves match resumed under heightened security, and Wolves secured a 2-0 victory, advancing to the fifth round. This match was only the third encounter between the two rivals in the past decade.
Carlos Corberan, West Brom’s manager, expressed his players’ concerns for their families’ safety and condemned aggressive behaviour. He emphasized that the decision to replace Bartley upon resumption of play was tactical.
Commentators
Commentators expressed their disappointment over the incident. Gary O’Neil highlighted the importance of safety at football matches, especially for children and the elderly. He commended the respect shown on the field, despite the disturbances.
Commentators on Soccer Special, Gareth Ainsworth and Clinton Morrison, lamented the impact of the fans’ actions on what was otherwise a good game. They highlighted the quick response of the players to the situation and the importance of fan behaviour in such scenarios. This incident underscored the need for responsible fan conduct and the impact of such disturbances on the sport.
