Source: Telegraph
West Ham and Millwall face FA investigation after violence mars Carling Cup tie
One man was stable in hospital after being stabbed as fans clashed after breaking through a police cordon with around 200 officers in full riot gear supported by 20 mounted police patrolling the area long after the game had concluded.
As the spectre of hooliganism rose once more to the surface of English football, there were several pitch invasions by West Ham fans after the goal that took the game to extra-time and ultimately after the goals that won the game for the home side.
The match was held up while the pitch was cleared and an appeal for calm was made to both sets of supporters.
'West Ham will fully investigate the deplorable scenes that took place during the Carling Cup tie with Millwall on Tuesday evening,' a statement from West Ham read.
'The club will not tolerate the unacceptable behaviour witnessed inside the Boleyn Ground and will take the strongest possible action against anyone found responsible, including life bans.
'As was the case before, during and after the match, we are co-operating fully with the relevant agencies, including the police.'
The club, however, could still be punished for the pitch invasions.
An FA spokesman said: 'We absolutely condemn all of the disorder that has occurred at Upton Park, both inside and outside the ground. We will be working with all parties including the police and clubs to establish the facts surrounding the events.
'We expect all culprits to be banned from football for life. They have no place in our game.'
West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola described his shock after the ugly clashes, claiming they were the worst scenes he had witnessed during his time as a player and manager in this country.
'I've been involved in difficult games and things happened. Here, I've played seven years and I've never seen it like this,' Zola said.
'It's certainly not good for football. I was completely shocked. Totally. I knew it was a game that meant a lot for the two sets of supporters, but I didn't imagine it like this.
'What can I say? I'm a sport man. I love the game. I love to go on the pitch and try and make it exciting for the supporters and enjoyable for everybody to watch. This was beyond my powers.'
Carlton Cole was the alleged victim of monkey chants, before the England striker appeared to make a gesture back to Millwall fans.
Neil Harris had given the visitors the lead but Junior Stanislas' equaliser that sent the tie into extra-time led to supporters pouring over the advertising hoardings.
Stanislas added another from the penalty spot, leading to another invasion and Millwall players heading for the dressing room, before play got under way again and Zavon Hines added a third to seal victory.
Jack Collison, the West Ham player who had bravely declared himself ready to play despite his father dying in a motorcycle accident on Sunday, was left in tears at the end of a match on a night of raw emotion and sickening violence.
'[Collison] showed what kind of boy he is by playing,' said Zola. 'Not many would have done the same thing.'
Millwall manager Kenny Jackett moved to point out that the Millwall supporters inside the ground, of which the number had been restricted to 2,300 due to fears of trouble ahead of the match, had not encroached on to the playing area.
'I didn't fear for my own safety. There were no Millwall fans on the pitch. They stayed where they were supposed to.,' Jackett said.
'There were a lot of people on the pitch. The lads gathered together and came to the sides, as they should have.'
'I wasn't aware of the stabbing outside the ground. I'm very sad to hear that. We've got a passionate game in this country but when it oversteps the mark then things have to be done.'
