Source: Telegraph
Millwall 'shocked' by FA charges as West Ham also face punishment for crowd trouble
The Football Association has issued four charges against West Ham and three against Millwall following an investigation into the serious disturbances in and around Upton Park on Aug 25. [LNB]A 44-year-old man was taken to hospital with stab wounds and several others were injured, while West Ham striker Carlton Cole and Millwall's Jason Price both suffered racist abuse during the match, which West Ham won 3-1 after extra time. [LNB] Related ArticlesMan City v West Ham: match previewMark Hughes reluctant to 'overwork' Craig BellamyZola: Bellamy made me better managerWest Ham and Millwall charged over racismSanta Cruz set for City debutSanta Cruz prepared to sacrificeA full range of sanctions are available for the FA to use as punishment, including making both clubs play a number of matches behind closed doors. [LNB]A West Ham spokesman said: "We are reviewing the FA charges and will respond accordingly. In advance of the Millwall match, the club followed the strict advice of the police and relevant authorities at every stage of the planning process. [LNB]"That full co-operation continued on the night with the club working closely with police on a carefully set-out plan that was initiated and approved by the independent safety advisory group. [LNB]"We do acknowledge the appalling behaviour of a minority of fans inside the stadium and, in conjunction with the police, will continue to take strong and appropriate action against anyone found responsible." [LNB]Meanwhile a statement issued by Millwall read: "Millwall Football Club are shocked and disappointed that charges have been profferred against us in respect of events that took place at West Ham United on Tuesday 25th August 2009."[LNB]The League One side said some fans had won some praise for their good behaviour and the club were powerless to influence actions in another club's stadium. [LNB]The club added: "We maintain that we did everything in our power with regard to our ticketing arrangements for this game. Furthermore we expressed our concerns in advance about ticket allocations and arrangements in general. [LNB]"It was widely acknowledged that none of our supporters came onto the pitch, and indeed the behaviour and forbearance of our fans brought praise from media observers on the night. [LNB]"Our question for the Football Association is what can Millwall Football Club do to control individuals' actions once inside our opponents' stadium."[LNB]A day after the game both clubs issued strongly-worded public condemnation of any race-related misbehaviour. [LNB]The FA said each club faced charges of failure to ensure their supporters refrained from violent, threatening, obscene and provocative behaviour; failure to ensure their supporters refrained from racist behaviour and failure to ensure their supporters did not throw missiles, harmful or dangerous objects onto the pitch. [LNB]West Ham have also been charged with failure to ensure their supporters did not enter the field of play after some of their fans invaded the pitch in celebration at each of their team's goals in the victory over their London rivals. [LNB]The FA's statement added: "The FA has liaised closely with all relevant authorities including the Metropolitan Police during the course of its investigations and has been in constant dialogue with both clubs during this time. Both clubs now have a period of 14 days to respond to the charges." [LNB]
