Source: Daily_Mail
West Ham join Millwall in pleading not guilty to FA charges over Carling riots
West Ham United are set to join Millwall in pleading not guilty to Football Association charges in the wake of the Carling Cup tie at Upton Park in August.
The FA have set a deadline of Monday for both teams to respond and West Ham will claim they followed all police instructions on the night.
Metropolitan Police guidelines were put in place before the tie on how to steward inside the ground and the Hammers are adamant that they did everything they could reasonably have been expected to.
Millwall chief executive Andy Ambler defended his club saying:
'We will be pleading not guilty to all charges and defending out position vigorously. It is our contention that the charges are not justified.'
There were pitch invasions from West Ham supporters while travelling fans are alleged to have ripped up seats, some thrown on to the pitch.
But both clubs will contend they could have done no more.
To date, 29 people have been arrested - 20 of whom have been charged - six remain on bail, while two others have been released with no further charge. One fan has also been cautioned for a pitch invasion.
