Wembley concerns after fan invasion

ENGLISH football chiefs said yesterday they would voice concerns to Wembley stadium over the way Millwall fans ran onto the pitch following Saturday's League One playoff victory, raising fears that such invasions are on the rise.

The EFL condemned “unsavoury scenes” at the end of Millwall's 1-0 win over Bradford City when hundreds of fans burst past stewards.

A small number then taunted Bradford players as they went to the dressing rooms. Millwall manager Neil Harris ordered all supporters from the pitch and the club's players condemned the behaviour.

“The EFL will be writing to Stuart McCall and his Bradford team to apologise for the situation they found themselves in,” the English Football League said in a statement.

“The EFL will also raise a number of concerns with Wembley as to how the fans were not only able to access the playing area but then able to get so close to the Bradford City team, who showed great restraint given an incredibly challenging and difficult situation," it said.

“We cannot allow a set of circumstances to exist where the playing area becomes an appropriate place for fans to celebrate and Wembley, like stadiums across the country, have to be prepared to deal with the type of events that emerged on Saturday efficiently and effectively so as to ensure there is no repeat.”

The end-of-season playoffs are particularly emotionally charged, as teams seek promotion in a one-off game at English football’s national stadium.

Next Monday Reading play Huddersfield in the Championship playoff to reach the Premier League. Security will be tight for a game which is often referred to as English football's most lucrative, with at least £100 million on offer to the winners. — Reuters.