BRUNT: HE’S LUCKY I DIDN’T COLLAR HIM
Brunt’s fury at coin-throwing thug
condemn it strongly. Chelsea will react. Those people... they must not come into stadiums.’ A Chelsea spokesman added: ‘We condemn such idiotic and dangerous behaviour. If we can identify those responsible then we will ban them from Stamford Bridge. It’s a criminal offence, too, and we will support any police prosecution.’ A man was arrested last night after allegedly throwing a lighter on to the pitch at Stamford Bridge during the game. On Saturday, Brunt was cut beneath the eye when he walked over to give his shirt to an Albion travelling supporter following their 3-1 loss at Reading.
CHRIS BRUNT has angrily demanded that the West Brom thug who cut him below the left eye by throwing a 50p coin turn himself in to police.
Sportsmail understands stewards identified the culprit from a photograph of the incident, which followed West Brom’s 3-1 FA Cup fifth round defeat at Reading, and the information has been passed to Thames Valley police, who are treating it as assault. West Brom will issue a life ban.
The 31- year- old Northern Ireland international, who was applauding travelling fans when struck, reacted furiously but still handed his shirt to a young girl in the crowd.
Afterwards he spoke of his disgust, saying: ‘ Nobody deserves that, it doesn’t matter whether I have been here 10 years or 10 minutes. I don’t really see how that was any different to whacking someone in the street.
‘He was probably lucky the police were there otherwise he might have got collared by me if I had known who he was. It is definitely up there with the worst days I have had in football. But we have a game next week and if I am selected I will do my best.’
Brunt called on the culprit to give himself up, adding: ‘It would make him a bigger man than he was to throw a coin from 20 yards away if he owned up to it.
‘I was angry. My wife and kids were going to come to the game but I am glad they didn’t because if they had witnessed that I would have been gutted.’
West Brom captain Darren Fletcher saw the incident and escorted Brunt off the pitch.
‘I must admit I was a little bit worried when I saw Brunty go over and that’s why I stayed out a little bit longer,’ said Fletcher. ‘We have a new generation now where everyone has an opinion. Social media plays a part and bandwagons go a lot quicker. But there is a line and unfortunately that was crossed.’
Sportsmail understands the incident will not have a bearing on Brunt’s future at the club. His contract expires in summer 2017.
Brunt, the joint-longest serving player at the club, recently passed 300 appearances for West Brom.
Next month he will attend a dinner at the Hawthorns in recognition of those who have reached that total.
West Brom fans, who have become disenchanted with the poor recent form of Tony Pulis’s side, have been outraged by the attack on their own player.
John Homer, chairman of the West Brom Supporters’ Trust, said: ‘ We have this anti-Pulis thing going on so emotions are running high. But to throw a coin at one of our own players is abhorrent, disgraceful, disgusting.
‘We’ve all seen verbal abuse from fans at the end of the game but it has never manifested itself in that action. It could have had his eye out. It’s so sad because he’s been one of the most consistent performers we’ve had. He is a conscientious lad and always gives his best. I would hope any Albion fan who knows this person would say so because it has besmirched our reputation.’
The £10 tickets for the match brought 3,800 travelling fans.
‘In the Premier League we usually take between 800 and 1,200 away fans,’ added Homer. ‘I help organise coaches and if it was any regular we would know immediately. That hasn’t happened. This is someone for whom going to an away game is a rarity.’
West Brom’s shame was compounded by the arrest of another fan for racist abuse of a steward. A 37-year-old man from Sandwell has been released on bail until April 1.
Sergeant Richard Noone, of Thames Valley police, said: ‘ There were a number of incidents of disorder during the second half, including objects being thrown between the home section and the away section. A bottle was also thrown in the direction of a Reading player.
‘We would ask anyone with any information to contact Thames Valley Police immediately. I would particularly appeal to anyone who has videos of these incidents to contact police.’
West Brom fans are considering two proposals to show solidarity with Brunt. One idea is to sing his name for the 11th minute of Crystal Palace’s visit to the Hawthorns on Saturday, to correspond with his shirt number.
Also under discussion is setting up collection points outside the ground before the game so donations can be made to a charity of Brunt’s choice.
The latter option is seen as a way of suggesting a better use for loose change.