West Bromwich Albion issue lifetime ban warning after unrest at Wolves FA Cup game
- Published
The Black Country derby had to be suspended for 38 minutes because of the crowd trouble in the Halfords Lane stand, which fanned out on to the pitch
West Brom have issued lifetime stadium ban threats to fans before Saturday's home derby with Birmingham City, to eliminate any chance of a repeat of last Sunday's violence.
The Baggies are still investigating exactly how the crowd trouble in the FA Cup derby with Wolves occurred.
The club said "a number of individuals have been identified", suspended and highlighted to West Midlands Police.
But they are also very keen for the Blues game to pass without incident.
The club have already written to some fans, telling them their ticket accounts have been suspended and that they "cannot attend games at The Hawthorns until further notice".
Last Sunday's FA Cup derby defeat by Wolves ended in front of a large pitchside police and stewards presence
The club statement also added: "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.
"We will work tirelessly, alongside the police, to bring offenders to justice and stamp this behaviour out of our game.
"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.
"The safety of everyone who attends home games is the club's absolute priority and we know the scenes witnessed do not represent the vast majority of Baggies fans.
"Acts of violence, entering the field of play, the use of pyrotechnics and throwing objects are all offences which can result in criminal convictions, football banning orders and lifetime stadium bans."
Saturday's game, which has a routine 15:00 GMT kick-off time, will be contested by fifth-placed Albion and former Baggies boss Tony Mowbray's 20th-placed Blues, who sit 15 places but only 13 points behind them in the Championship table.
Blues won 3-2 on their last visit to The Hawthorns 16 months ago, thanks to a Scott Hogan hat-trick, their first victory there in 18 years.