West Brom say they are working with the authorities to ensure the violent scenes which marred last week’s Black Country derby against Wolves at the Hawthorns are never repeated.
West Brom suffered their first home defeat to Wolves since 1996 in last Sunday’s FA Cup fourth-round tie, with Pedro Neto and Matheus Cunha scoring for Gary O’Neil’s side.
However, the match was overshadowed by crowd trouble which led to a 38-minute stoppage following Cunha’s goal, prompting an investigation from the Football Association (FA).
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Footage shared on social media showed a handful of Wolves fans celebrating Cunha’s goal among home supporters in the West Stand, which led a number of Albion fans to cross the playing surface from the Birmingham Road End in an attempt to reach them.
West Midlands Police said several officers were injured in subsequent scuffles with supporters, with six arrests made in connection with the game.
On Friday, West Brom provided an update on the club’s investigation into the unrest, pledging to ban those responsible and saying several supporters’ details had been passed on to the police.
The club have issued an update regarding the unacceptable disturbances at last weekend’s Black Country derby. ????
— West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) February 2, 2024
“Albion are working with West Midlands Police, the Football Association and the club’s Safety Advisory Group to ensure the unacceptable behaviour which disrupted the Black Country derby on Sunday is never repeated at The Hawthorns,” the club said.
“The safety of everyone who attends home games is the club’s absolute priority and we know the scenes witnessed on Sunday do not represent the vast majority of Baggies fans.
“On conclusion of all criminal inquiries, Albion will issue club bans to anyone found to have been responsible for Sunday’s unacceptable events.
“While we understand the events of Sunday were carried out by a minority, we wish to remind all supporters that these actions will not be tolerated.”
