FA to probe Upton Park violence

The Football Association is to investigate the violence that marred the Carling Cup clash between West Ham and Millwall at Upton Park on Tuesday.

One man was stabbed as fans clashed outside the ground, while there were also three pitch invasions.

"We absolutely condemn all of the disorder that has occurred at Upton Park," said an FA spokesperson.

"We will be working with all parties, the police and clubs, to establish the facts surrounding these events."

The FA also confirmed that it expected any fan identified as being involved in the violence to be banned for life and stated: "They have no place in our game."

FA director of communications Adrian Bevington told BBC Radio 5 live it was too early to say if the clubs would face sanctions.

He said: "We have to understand exactly what measures were put in place last night.

"I'm not going to condemn West Ham or Millwall football clubs for any of their actions - certainly not at this stage, because we don't know exactly what's been put in place.

"And we know there have been huge efforts on the parts of all our clubs to try to eradicate the problems and we've had a history of success on that.
Police worked to contain violence before, during and after the match

"However, we have to make sure that the individuals concerned face such tough actions that they can't go to football again.

"We all want a big atmosphere at matches - that's part of football, part of the passion.

"However, we also want to make sure it's a safe environment to watch games and we've just spent the best part of 20 years working towards that."

West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola condemned those responsible for the trouble and said they were not fans of football.

"I've been involved in difficult games and things happened. Here, I've played seven years and I've never seen it like this," added Zola.

"It's certainly not good for football. I was completely shocked. Totally. I knew it was a game that meant a lot for the two sets of supporters but I didn't imagine it like this.

"What can I say? I'm a sport man. I love the game. I love to go on the pitch and try to make it exciting for the supporters and enjoyable for everybody to watch. This was beyond my powers."

West Ham also issued a statement vowing to help any investigation and ban fans found guilty of taking part in the violence.

"West Ham will fully investigate the deplorable scenes that took place during the Carling Cup tie with Millwall on Tuesday evening," it read.

"The club will not tolerate the unacceptable behaviour witnessed inside the Boleyn Ground and will take the strongest possible action against anyone found responsible, including life bans.

"As was the case before, during and after the match, we are co-operating fully with the relevant agencies, including the police."

Hundreds of fans were involved in the disorder and it was the first time London rivals West Ham and Millwall had played each other since April 2005.

Eyewitness reports suggested opposing fans threw bottles and bricks and starting small fires as police moved in to try to prevent the disturbances.

Inside the stadium, police and stewards battled to remove fans from the pitch throughout the match, which West Ham won 3-1 in extra time after coming back from 1-0 down.

The first pitch invasion was after Junior Stanislas' equaliser, while the second more serious encroachment happened after Stanislas scored a penalty to give the Hammers the lead.

Play was briefly suspended when referee Paul Taylor decided to take the players off the pitch.

"I didn't fear for my own safety," Millwall boss Kenny Jackett said of the ugly scenes.

"There were no Millwall fans on the pitch. They stayed where they were supposed to.

He added: "I wasn't aware of the stabbing outside the ground. I'm very sad to hear that.

"We've got a passionate game in this country but when it oversteps the mark then things have to be done."

Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe gave his full support to the FA's investigation.

"I completely back the FA's call for any person identified as involved in the violence to be banned for life," he said.

""We have made great progress in the past twenty years in tackling football hooliganism in this country and we will not tolerate any return to the dark days of the 70s and 80s when it plagued the game."

The Football League, which organises the Carling Cup, condemned the scenes and promised to help identify and punish those involved.

"We utterly deplore the violence that took place at last night's match," said chief operating officer Andy Williamson.

"Such behaviour has no place in the game and we will work with all the relevant authorities to ensure those behind it are held to account."

Malcolm Clarke, chairman of the Football Supporters Federation, is due to have a routine meeting with FA chief executive Ian Watmore later today and told BBC Radio 5 live he expected to discuss the violence.

"It's not a good start to the season and it's important a full investigation is done, and the FA are going to do this with all parties to see exactly what caused this," he said.

"It's important to get to the bottom of it but too many hysterical over-reactions don't help.

"I can assure you the vast majority of Millwall and West Ham supporters will be as horrified by events that occurred as everybody else."

West Ham midfielder Jack Collison, who declared himself ready to play, despite the death of his father in a motorcycle accident on Sunday, was one of several players who pleaded with fans to get back to the stands.

It took officials about six minutes to clear about 50 people from the pitch and police had to redeploy within the stadium to tackle the invasion.

Riot police lined the streets outside the stadium, roads were closed and a helicopter flew overhead in preparation for further possible clashes as thousands of fans tried to leave the stadium at full time.

Police revealed later that the victim of the stabbing was a 44-year-old man, who is in a stable condition in hospital.