BAN THE IDIOTS FOR LIFE
Pulis leads calls on FA to identify Cup thugs
WEST BROM manager Tony Pulis has called f or supporters who ripped out seats and threw them at rival fans at Villa Park to be banned from football for life.
Pulis also branded as ‘ mindless idiots’ the hundreds of Aston Villa fans who spilled on to the pitch and goaded his players in scenes reminiscent of the 1970s.
The FA are investigating the trouble at Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-final, with the highest level off punishment being a partial stadium closure if negligence is found.
Questions must be asked of the meagre number of stewards who were overwhelmed by a rush of Villa supporters.
Only a dozen or so stewards were at the Holte End corner where Villa fans burst on to the pitch, causing a two-minute delay. The final 60 seconds were played out with a mass of people congregated on the sidelines and thousands spilled on when Villa’s 2-0 win was confirmed.
In 2010, West Ham were fined £115,000 for failing to control their fans after violence at a League Cup tie against Millwall.
West Brom could also face sanctions over their fans, with one Villa supporter revealing to Sportsmail that he suffered a bloody head wound caused by a seat flung down from the upper section of the North Stand. Estimates suggested up to 25 chairs had been used as weapons.
Pulis said: ‘If that was the situation, and they’ve got CCTV cameras, those supporters should never come into another ground. It is like people coming into someone else’s house — you have to show respect.’
West Brom yesterday issued a statement stating zero tolerance would be applied. ‘The club is aware of reports of serious misbehaviour involving some of its own supporters,’ it read. ‘It issues an uncompromising reminder that any supporter found guilty of disorder can expect the appropriate sanction from the club. We will continue to operate zero tolerance to any fans who bring the club’s reputation into disrepute.’
As thousands of Villa fans swirled on to the pitch to celebrate the win over their local rivals, many chose to swarm around West Brom players. Winger Callum McManaman was said to be involved in the most aggressive confrontation, while Ben Foster had a finger pushed in his face.
West Brom goalkeeper Boaz Myhill was repeatedly barged by yobs. A group encircled him, filming on their mobiles. He even picked one phone up and threw it away.
Villa captain Fabian Delph, meanwhile, said he was bitten by over- enthusiastic fans. ‘ It was dangerous,’ he said. ‘Someone tried to take my boot off. People tried to kiss me and were biting me. It was scary.’
West Midlands Police said 17 arrests had been made for public order as well as drunk and disorderly offences.
Chief Superintendent Chris Johnson said a probe has also been launched to identify people involved in a fracas before the match at the Witton Arms pub down the road from Villa Park.
Villa issued a statement condemning fans. ‘ The club does not condone supporters invading the field under any circumstances,’ it read. ‘We are very disappointed that what should have been a very memorable and proud moment was marred by the actions of those who could not control themselves.
‘They have let both themselves and their club down.
‘ The club extends its sincere apologies to the FA, the West Brom directors, Tony Pulis and all his staff and players.’
Pulis said: ‘It was like the ’70s and ’80s. I am old enough to have seen isolated incidents like that. Villa should look at the stewarding because, with a game at this time of night, 5.30pm, you need to police it properly — and I am sure Villa will look at it. This is, hopefully, just an isolated incident (with) mindless idiots.’
Whoever agreed to schedule the match for 5.30pm on a Saturday showed a dangerous l ack of foresight. It seems nobody at the FA, the BBC, the clubs or West Midlands Police seriously considered that trouble might follow a day off work when fans of the two local rivals had all afternoon to drink.
It is clear questions need to be asked about the way matches that carry the potential to be ‘tasty’, as Pulis described this fixture, are arranged.
In the past, police have insisted derbies kick off early in the day. In this instance, the local force claim it was out of their hands, with the decision down to the FA.
Sources at English football’s governing body maintain the scheduling is a collaborative effort, including police guidance.
The wishes of broadcasters also play a huge part as evening slots are good for ratings. It is the reason Arsenal fans will find it impossible to return to London from Manchester tonight by train.
But the BBC, who reportedly paid up to £120million for the rights to show the world’s oldest competition over four years, declined to accept responsibility. A spokesman said: ‘Both West Brom and Villa, along with the police, agreed to the kick- off time and raised no objections.’
West Brom sources suggested the kick-off time did cause concern in advance but no formal objection was made.
Similar timings have been used before for derbies but 6,500 West Brom fans travelled across town on Saturday — significantly more than usual. And questions are now being asked about the suitability to house them in the North Stand, directly above those supporting Villa.
Kevin Phillips, who played for both clubs, agreed with Pulis, adding: ‘Seeing those seats come down, it could kill someone. Those people should be found and banned.’