West Midlands Police said today that they have made 17 arrests related to the pitch invasion at Villa Park at the end of yesterday’s FA Cup match between Aston Villa and West Bromwich Albion.
Seats were thrown from section in the stadium holding the visiting supporters, while Villa fans invaded the pitch twice. Villa won the match 2-0 to progress to the semi-final, but the ugly scenes overshadowed the match.
The Football Association is poised to start its own investigation into the problems and the police have also launched a probe into a pre-match disturbance at the Witton Arms, close to Villa Park.
“We carried out a large policing operation for the FA Cup yesterday evening to ensure supporters could enjoy the game in a safe environment,” the chief superintendent from West Midlands Police, Chris Johnson, said. “During the course of the operation 17 men were arrested for various public order offences. An investigation has been launched to identify people involved in a disturbance before the match at the Witton Arms pub.
“Anyone who saw what happened should contact police on 101 or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
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“We will also be supporting the Football Association to identify people involved in pitch invasions that happened at the end of the match.”
Among the arrests were eight people detained on suspicion of public-order offences, four on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly and two on suspicion of breach of the peace, police said.
Villa fans invaded the pitch before the end of the game and then again at the final whistle while seats were thrown from the upper tier of the North Stand, where West Brom fans were sitting, into the Villa crowd below during the second half.
A spokesperson for the FA said the investigation into the incidents will begin tomorrow.
“There is no progress on last night except the FA knows about it and intends to look into it thoroughly,” the spokesperson said.
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Tony Pulis, the West Brom manager, called the scenes “disgraceful” and branded those involved “mindless idiots”. Villa later apologised to their opponents and the FA for their supporters’ behaviour.
“They have let both themselves and their club down,” Villa said. “The club extends its sincere apologies to the Football Association, the West Bromwich Albion directors, manager Tony Pulis and all his staff and players.”
West Brom also released a statement today, in which the club formally accepted Villa’s apology and threatened “zero tolerance” for any of its own supporters involved in similar disturbances.
“West Bromwich Albion note the public apology issued by Aston Villa FC in the wake of the disturbing scenes during and after the FA Cup quarter-final at Villa Park. The apology is received in the spirit with which it was intended.
“The club is also aware of reports of serious misbehaviour involving some of its own supporters. It issues an uncompromising reminder today that any supporter found guilty of disorder offences can expect the appropriate sanction from the club. West Bromwich Albion will continue to operate zero tolerance to any fans who bring the club’s reputation into disrepute.
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“The club also welcomes the FA investigation into the scenes and how they came about; West Bromwich Albion will co-operate fully. Pitch invasions cannot be tolerated under any circumstances. The safety of the club’s players and staff during and at the end of the game was clearly compromised and that has to be a subject of deep concern for everyone involved.”