Source: SKY_Sports
FA to review ugly scenes
Adrian Bevington has confirmed the Football Association will conduct a thorough review into Tuesday night's disgraceful scenes inside and outside Upton Park before deciding what sanctions to bring.
West Ham and Millwall fans clashed before and after Tuesday's Carling Cup second round match in which the Hammers emerged victorious thanks to a 3-1 extra-time success.
The game was marred by several pitch invasions and FA director of communications Bevington wants any trouble-making individuals indentified to be banned from football for life.
However, Bevington says the clubs involved could escape punishment if they are found to have taken every measure possible to nullify any potential disturbances.
"It's not acceptable. We condemn it wholeheartedly," he told Sky Sports News. "We want to liaise with the Football League, the two football clubs with the police to understand exactly how the events of last night manifested themselves.
"We need to know the ticketing arrangements, stewarding arrangements and police arrangements. All the details and then we'll take it from there."
When quizzed whether the clubs could face repercussions, he replied: "That's why we need to understand exactly what arrangements were put in place. We don't know the full details.
"It would be wrong of me to say clubs face action because if the clubs have taken every measure possible, then why would they face action?
"Most importantly we want individuals, and there are lots of them, to be identified, arrested and put through the judicial system.
"As a minimum we want sentences to be imposed on them that lead to them being banned from football for life.
"We're taking this incredibly seriously. The most important thing here is we find the individuals and that they are eradicated from our game first and foremost. If there's any action to follow from that, well that would happen following an investigation."
There are fears the scenes could damage England's bid to host the 2018 World Cup finals, although Bevington is hoping the shameful incidents will be viewed as a one-off.
"I don't believe a one-off incident is going to be damaging," he continued. "We have to work very, very hard to make sure that all measures have to be put in place to stop this sort of thing becoming common place again."
