West Midlands Police have confirmed that six arrests have been made in connection to Sunday’s Black Country derby between West Brom and Wolves, which was suspended for 38 minutes due to crowd trouble.
Wolves advanced to the fifth round of the FA Cup with their first win at The Hawthorns since 1996 as Pedro Neto and Matheus Cunha scored either side of half-time in a 2-0 success.
Cunha’s goal provoked unsavoury scenes at the Birmingham Road End as several West Brom fans spilled onto the pitch and attempted to reach another area of the stadium, where social media footage showed a handful of Wolves supporters celebrating among the home fans.
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Other videos uploaded to social media showed supporters aiming punches at police officers, while West Brom captain Kyle Bartley was seen carrying a child out of the affected area before both sets of players were taken down the tunnel.
They eventually re-emerged after a long stoppage to play the final 13 minutes of the game, which passed without further incident.
On Monday, West Midlands Police confirmed six people had been arrested in connection with the game, though detective sergeant Jason Dooley told BBC News he believed more arrests would be made, urging anyone with footage of the violence to reach out.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club condemns in the strongest terms the unsavoury scenes which disrupted Sunday’s Black Country derby at The Hawthorns.
— West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) January 28, 2024
In a statement, West Midlands Police confirmed the arrests included that of a 16-year-old held on suspicion of carrying an offensive weapon after being searched at a pub before the match.
Others were arrested for violent disorder, assaulting police officers, affray and a public order offence.
Chief inspector Tim Robinson said several police officers had sustained injuries and described the incidents as “completely unacceptable”, though he said the majority of supporters present “were a credit to their clubs”.
The Football Association pledged to launch an investigation on Sunday, calling the violence “dangerous and inexcusable”.
West Brom also condemned the unrest in a statement released on the club’s website on Sunday, which read: “West Bromwich Albion Football Club condemns in the strongest terms the unsavoury scenes which disrupted Sunday’s Black Country derby at The Hawthorns.
“Any individual involved in the disorder will be subject to a club ban, in addition to potential criminal investigation.
“The club will make no further comment until the conclusion of a full and thorough investigation.”
