Two men charged over FA Cup violence

16 April 2013 09:27

Two men have been charged after disorder at the FA Cup semi-final between Millwall and Wigan Athletic.

Saturday's game, which Wigan won 2-0, was marred by violent scenes inside and outside London's Wembley Stadium.

Scotland Yard said Richard Freeman, 53, of Grebe Way, St Neots, Cambridgeshire, had been charged with breaching bail conditions. He appeared in custody on Monday, police said. Terance Cape, 43, of Goldwin Close, New Cross, London, will appear on bail at Hendon Magistrates' Court on May 1 charged with racially aggravated behaviour under section 4 of the Public Order Act.

Fourteen people were arrested on Saturday, police said, 12 Millwall supporters and two Wigan fans.

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Barnes said: "The violence seen at the Millwall v Wigan FA Cup fixture over the weekend is completely unacceptable. The Metropolitan Police is committed to working with its partners in bringing those responsible to justice. A significant investigation is now under way to identify all involved in order to bring them to justice in a swift and robust manner."

Scotland Yard said a 24-year-old man from the Camberwell area of south London was bailed to return to a north-west London police station after being arrested on suspicion of theft, possession of a Class B drug and possession of an offensive weapon. A 15-year-old boy, from Croydon, south London, was arrested on suspicion of ticket touting. He was bailed to return to speak to police in early May.

Scotland Yard said officers were pursuing numerous leads as part of their post-match review and will continue their probe to identify those involved.

Saturday's violence, which saw Millwall fans attacking police and fighting among themselves inside and outside the ground, was followed by more trouble in Sunday's Tyne-Wear derby in which Sunderland beat Newcastle 3-0.

Northumbria Police are studying CCTV footage after Newcastle fans battled on the streets outside St James' Park. Twenty-nine people were arrested but that number is expected to grow as police continue their investigations. Meanwhile, British Transport Police made 33 other football-related arrests over the weekend.

Sports Minister Hugh Robertson branded the weekend's football-related violence inexcusable but insisted that the game has not returned to the "bad old days" of hooliganism.

Source: PA