Source: Telegraph
Manchester United 'thugs' embark on night of mayhem at Barnsley after alcohol ban
The Championship club are considering hitting United with a five-figure repair bill for damage caused by their supporters during a rampage of looting described as "robbery with violence" by Barnsley general manager Don Rowing.
South Yorkshire Police and the Football Association have begun separate investigations into the ugly scenes during United's 2-0 fourth-round victory.
Iran elections: anger on the streets of TehranA police decision preventing the sale of alcohol at half-time has been suggested as the trigger for the violence that led to female kiosk staff barricading themselves in to prevent being hurt during the unrest.
Jan Framp, catering manager at Oakwell, said her staff were left in tears as a result of the violence.
She said: "Fifteen minutes before half-time, the fans came up for beer expecting the bar to be open, but the police had asked for it to be closed. That was the reason it all kicked off.
"The fans kicked down the door of the beer bar, jumped the counter and stole the beer. The police came in and restored order in that bar and the fans then moved on further down the concourse and attacked the two food bars one at each end of the concourse.
"The fans jumped over the counter and, in one case, kicked the door in and started attacking the staff with tomato sauce.
"All of our staff are teenagers and they were absolutely terrified. They backed into the storeroom and locked themselves in. Fortunately nobody was injured.
"There were a lot of tears. We spoke to most of them on Wednesday morning and they seem very ebullient. I think they'll be back."
Seven fans were arrested by South Yorkshire Police, one for theft, and Barnsley general manager Rowing admits the club have been left stunned by the violence.
Rowing said: "I'm very angry that people could do what they have done. Not just in terms of the damage they have caused, but to threaten the staff and steal the money.
"It is tantamount to robbery with violence. Like most grounds, we have young students who work for us (in the kiosks) and they don't deserve that sort of treatment. But with CCTV footage, we can hopefully put these people where they belong."
South Yorkshire Police are to contact both clubs in an effort to identify the perpetrators of the violence and United, who distributed tickets through a ballot of members, have condemned those involved for damaging the club's reputation.
A United spokesman said: "The thugs who spoil the reputation of the team and fellow supporters have no place at Manchester United.
"The club will support strongly any actions taken should the culprits be identified and we would support the pursuit of banning orders by the police on anyone convicted of any offence at Oakwell."
Both clubs could be punished by the FA as a result of incidents on and off the pitch during United's victory.
While United will be investigated for the behaviour of their supporters, Barnsley will also be under the spotlight as a result of two fans who entered the playing area and kicked a ball into the United net in second-half stoppage time.
United will also be the subject of a Uefa control and disciplinary body meeting in Nyon on Thursday after a fan invaded the pitch during the Champions League victory over Wolfsburg last month. They face a fine or a reprimand.
Chris Foy, the referee at Oakwell, has been asked to consider a case of mistaken identity after booking Fabio da Silva instead of twin brother Rafael for a foul on Barnsley substitute Jamal Campbell-Ryce.
