Aston Villa facing huge FA fine for fan trouble during cup win over West Brom

Posted Monday, March 09, 2015 by Dailystar.co.uk

ASTON VILLA are facing a hefty fine for the shocking scenes following their FA Cup win over West Brom.

They be facing a hit of up to £100,000 for the two pitch invasions that marred the 2-0 win that clinched an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.

The club the thousands of fans who flooded on were guilty of over-exhuberance rather than more sinister motives, players had trouble leaving the pitch.

West Brom star Callum McManaman appeared to be struck in the face as he left the field but it is understood he won’t be taking the matter further.

Albion keeper Boaz Myhill was also involved in an incident with a fan who tried to film him before his phone went flying.

Aston Villa facing huge FA fine for fan trouble during cup win over West Brom
BAD OLD DAYS: Villa fans crash onto the pitch

Villa may also have to answer questions over their stewarding and why West Brom fans were allocated the upper tier of the stand behind one goal with Villa fans underneath.

That was the section where some Villa fans were hurt as visiting supporters ripped up seats and threw them on rival supporters below.

Chief Supt Chris Johnson of West Midlands Police said 17 arrests had been made in the overall operation and that they would be assiting the FA in trying to identify offenders.

West Ham were fined £115,000 in 2009 though the scenes in the infamous Upton Park Riot against Millwall were far nastier than those witnessed at Villa Park.

Villa have no significant history of crowd trouble so they will probably be treated more leniently, although a fine and warning seems an absolute certainty.

Aston Villa facing huge FA fine for fan trouble during cup win over West Brom
WORRYING SCENES: Fans run on to the pitch while West Brom players try to get off

Furious West Brom boss Tony Pulis was said the chaotic scenes were caused by mindless idiots.

"I don’t want to have a go and take anything away from what happened on the pitch and what happened in the game,” he said.

"Villa should look at the stewarding because with a game at 5.30, you need to police it properly and I am sure Villa will look at that.

"This is just hopefully an isolated incident with mindless idiots who, I just don’t know what they are up to to be honest with you.”

Villa apologised to Pulis and his players in a club statement on Saturday.

And West Brom responded with a statement of their own yesterday which said: “West Brom note the public apology issued by Aston Villa in the wake of the disturbing scenes 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.

"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.”