Source: Daily_Mail
West Brom stewards tried to attack Reading players on bus, claims Howard
Reading midfielder Brian Howard has claimed West Bromwich Albion stewards tried to attack his team's players on their coach after Wednesday's dramatic FA Cup win at The Hawthorns.[LNB] The fifth-round replay was marred by ugly scenes at the final whistle when Jobi McAnuff was sent off following an altercation with West Bromwich's Youssouf Mulumbu. Stewards then tried to prevent the Reading squad from celebrating with their fans and became involved in a shoving match with the players.[LNB] Thorny issue: Reading coach Nigel Gibbs (right) confronts stewards after the game[LNB]Howard says the trouble continued to boil over and stewards threatened to storm the Reading coach as they squabble with Mulumbu and then tried to manhandle him off the pitch.[LNB] 'We tried to calm it down but then the stewards wouldn't let us celebrate with the fans. It was farcical.[LNB] 'I tried throwing my shirt into the crowd but the steward said it could start a riot, which was ridiculous. I threw it anyway and he started to grab me. One of our fitness coaches tried to stop him and the steward gave him a dig in the ribs.[LNB] 'They were incredibly aggressive and got totally carried away. They obviously get bullied at home by their wives. The power of wearing one of those bright orange jackets totally went to their heads.[LNB] Howzat: Reading's Brian Howard celebrates after scoring the second against West Brom[LNB] 'Even after the match the stewards tried to get on the coach but luckily they were stopped otherwise it would have been carnage. They started taking their jackets off and pointing at us to get off the coach and fight them.[LNB] 'A few of the lads were going to get off and have a go. I thought I was outside a local boozer at one in the morning not at a football ground.'[LNB] West Bromwich released a statement denying that the stewards had acted improperly. However the FA confirmed last night that they will be launching an investigation. [LNB] West Brom 2 Reading 3: Sigurdsson snatches extra-time winner West Brom defender Mattock faces trial over four assault chargesLIVE: FA CUP FIFTH-ROUND REPLAYS - Man City crash out in extra time, Spurs put four past Bolton, Villa see off Palace and Reading's run continues - as it happened [LNB] [LNB]
