Forest v Leicester City: Fan trouble ahead of FA Cup game

Two men have been arrested after violent incidents before and after Nottingham Forest's fourth-round FA Cup tie with Leicester City.

Officers were called to disturbances in Nottingham city centre before the game began on Sunday.

The match at the City Ground finished 4-1, with FA Cup holders Leicester knocked out of the competition.

A man was also arrested after running on to the pitch as Forest players celebrated the third goal.

The violence in the city centre saw large groups, who witnesses said were singing Leicester City chants, and throwing bottles, tables and chairs outside various venues.

Nottinghamshire Police said they were called to the Cross Keys in Byard Lane at 15:20 GMT, where three people suffered minor injuries.

Police said a 31-year-old man was detained at the scene on suspicion of violent disorder.

A 21-year-old, from Leicestershire, has also been charged with using threatening or abusive behaviour with intent to cause fear of violence after being arrested following reports of a fight in Queen's Road.

He has been released on conditional bail while police carry out further investigations.

'Like mayhem'

The Fat Cat restaurant in Chapel Bar was also targeted at about 12:15.

Manager Matin Keshavarz said: "They just started grabbing chairs and furniture outside and throwing it at our windows, smashing outside furniture, throwing bottles.

"They were singing Leicester City songs so we assumed that they were Leicester City fans."

Lifelong Forest supporter, Paul Henstock, who was having a drink inside ahead of the match, said it was "scary" having things thrown at the windows.

"There were families eating inside, kids crying, it was a horrendous scene," he told BBC Radio Nottingham.

"I have never seen anything like it. Yesterday was eye-opening and frightening."

He said a friend had a bottle thrown at him and customers were holding the doors of the restaurant shut to stop the group getting inside.

"They were just shouting and gesticulating to people to come outside but nobody did obviously," he said. "They were just throwing everything they could get their hands on at the windows.

"It was like mayhem. I've never known anything like this."

A man was arrested during the game after invading the pitch

Diane Statham, from the Leicester City Supporter's Trust, said the troublemakers had let their club down.

She said: "We do our best to reflect the fans of Leicester as well-behaved, respectful people and these [fans] have just let down the whole club and everybody who is associated with Leicester City and the city of Leicester."

Leicestershire Police later tweeted there had been "a number of arrests before/during/after the game due to the mindless behaviour of a minority".

They added: "Actions have consequences."

A man, who was arrested in the first half of the game after he invaded the pitch as Nottingham Forest players celebrated a goal, remains in police custody.

A spokesman for Leicester City FC said he would be subjected to a lifetime ban.

Their statement added: "The club is appalled by such behaviour and offers its apologies to Nottingham Forest and its players whose safety was compromised.

"We applaud the swift action taken by City Ground stewards in apprehending the individual involved, who will be subject to a lifetime ban from all Leicester City fixtures at home and away."