Birmingham City have criticised Queens Park Rangers and the Metropolitan police after the West Midlands club’s fans were blamed for the disturbances at Loftus Road on Saturday.
Birmingham issued a statement expressing “extreme disappointment” after police blamed visiting supporters for incidents before, during and after QPR’s 2-0 victory in the Sky Bet Championship.
A video showing a QPR fan being punched by a Birmingham supporter at the side of the pitch was shared extensively on social media but Birmingham claimed that the home fan was not arrested despite leaving the stand to confront visiting supporters.
Three arrests were made, with police saying there was coin-throwing from Birmingham fans, an assault after the game and a “disturbance” before it. Birmingham’s statement read: “We note allegations of coin-throwing arising from the match at QPR on Saturday and we stress that the club will take the strongest possible action in dealing with any individual found to have indulged in such a deplorable act.
“The club also wishes to express its extreme disappointment that statements were released to the media during and after the match by QPR and Metropolitan police without consultation with Birmingham City FC or West Midlands police.”
Advertisement
“The club deplores the behaviour of those involved in the incidents and will continue to co-operate with the police”
Birmingham said that a number of “concerns” over stewarding and policing would be raised with QPR and police and the statement continued: “The QPR supporter who walked round pitchside to confront Birmingham City supporters was, we understand, not arrested.”
A QPR spokesman said: “The club can confirm it is co-operating and assisting the police in their investigation in relation to the incident that took place when a QPR fan confronted a Birmingham City supporter.
“In addition, both the club and the police are currently reviewing CCTV footage regarding the coin-throwing incident which came from the away end following QPR’s second goal. The club deplores the behaviour of those involved in the incidents and will continue to co-operate with the police to ensure the correct sanctions are made.
“Once both investigations have been concluded, the club — in communication with Birmingham City — will deal with the matter internally.”
In a statement issued at the weekend, the Metropolitan police said: “From around 2.30pm on Saturday a large number of Birmingham supporters caused a disturbance in Ellerslie Road.
Advertisement
“Two officers were injured. A number of supporters also sustained injuries. There was further disorder inside the stadium, including missiles being thrown from the away stand towards home supporters. A QPR player was also struck by a coin thrown from the away stand.”