Source: Daily_Mail
West Ham and Millwall hit with FA charges over violence and racism
West Ham could be forced to play a match behind closed doors after they and Millwall were charged with failing to control their supporters in their horror Carling Cup clash.[LNB] The FA have issued four counts against West Ham and three against Millwall following the string of incidents at Upton Park last month.[LNB]Both have been charged with failing to stop racist behaviour by their fans after West Ham's Carlton Cole and Millwall's Jason Price were allegedly taunted.[LNB] Pitch battle: Stewards and police try to control fans duringthe Carling Cup second round match between West Ham United and Millwall[LNB]VIDEO: Pitch invasion at Upton Park...[LNB]The clubs also face charges of failing to prevent their supporters from 'violent, threatening, obscene and provocative behaviour' and ensuring their fans didn't throw 'missiles, harmful or dangerous objects' on to the pitch.[LNB] In addition, West Ham were charged with failing to stop their fans from entering the pitch after three invasions disrupted the club's 3-1 extra-time win on August 25.[LNB]The clubs now have 14 days to respond to the charges.[LNB]The FA statement read: 'The FA have today issued charges againstboth West Ham United FC and Millwall FC following the serious crowddisturbances in and around Upton Park on 25 August 2009.[LNB] Enlarge Enlarge Abuse: West Ham's Carlton Cole (left) and Millwall's Jason Price[LNB]'WestHam United FC have been charged on four counts of failing to controltheir supporters whilst Millwall FC have been charged on three countsfollowing events at the Carling Cup fixture.[LNB]'It is alleged that both clubs failed to ensure that their supporters conducted themselves in an orderly fashion.[LNB]'Specific charges relating to West Ham United FC include: Failure toensure their supporters refrained from violent, threatening, obsceneand provocative behaviour; failure to ensure their supporters refrainedfrom racist behaviour; failure to ensure their supporters didn't throwmissiles, harmful or dangerous objects onto the pitch; failure toensure their supporters didn't enter the field of play.[LNB]Madness: Police attempt to hold back West Ham fans from invading the pitch[LNB]'Specific charges relating to Millwall FC include: Failure to ensuretheir supporters refrained from violent, threatening, obscene andprovocative behaviour; failure to ensure their supporters refrainedfrom racist behaviour; failure to ensure their supporters didn't throwmissiles, harmful or dangerous objects onto the pitch. [LNB]'TheFA has liaised closely with all relevant authorities including theMetropolitan Police during the course of its investigations and hasbeen in constant dialogue with both clubs during this time. Both clubsnow have a period of 14 days to respond to the charges.'[LNB]Millwall have revealed their dismay at being charged, with a statement reading: 'Millwall Football Club are shocked and disappointed that charges have been preferred against us in respect of events that took place at West Ham United on Tuesday 25th August 2009.[LNB]'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] Trouble: Fans lurk outside the ground[LNB]'Our question for the Football Association is what can MillwallFootball Club do to control individuals' actions once inside ouropponents' stadium. We have, and we continue to assist the authoritiesin their investigations into the events of that evening.[LNB]'We will not make any further comment until we receive, from theFootball Association, the evidence on which they are basing their caseagainst us.'[LNB]A West Ham statement read: '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 cooperation 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] West Ham 3 Millwall 1 (AET): That's the worst I've seen, says Gianfranco ZolaMartin Samuel: This was not Millwall's problem; this was down to West Ham'Family man' stabbed in West Ham violence was attacked for going to wrong part of stadiumRedknapp: West Ham and Millwall must only ever play behind closed doorsNethercott: FA would shut Millwall down if Cup riots had happened thereWEST HAM UNITED FC
