The West Midlands police have tweeted that they are looking closely at CCTV football and EGT (whatever that is?!) and will issue Football Banning Orders.
They said:
“CCTV and EGT footage as well as Sky footage will be checked and any person identified doing more than entering the pitch ie goading Middlesbrough Fans or holding Pyro will be invited for interview and receive an FBO and or 3 yr club ban.”
#avfc #utv CCTV and EGT footage as well as Sky footage will be checked and any person identified doing more than entering the pitch ie goading Middlesbrough Fans or holding Pyro will be invited for interview and receive an FBO and or 3 yr club ban
— Aston Villa WMPolice (@WMPVillaFC) May 16, 2018
They had tweeted earlier saying that one individual had already been arrested.
#avfc #utv One male was arrested last night on the pitch with a pyro, this individual will likely face a 3 year FBO and or a 3 year club ban which will now pre close him from Wembley
— Aston Villa WMPolice (@WMPVillaFC) May 16, 2018
Some of the replies weren’t exactly complimentary in their response, others agreed with the actions.
One was a valid question, as I did wonder why the police had lined up at the North Stand end then didn’t stop anyone going on the pitch:
Not condoning it but haven’t got resources to deal with thousands so have to be realistic about prosecution. We will publish images in the press of persons we are unable to identify
— Aston Villa WMPolice (@WMPVillaFC) May 16, 2018
I’m not totally sure they have said they are going to publish the photos of those on the pitch? There are enough photos and selfies doing the rounds anyway and they can’t (and say that themselves) arrest everyone who went on the pitch. All a bit daft isn’t it?!
They actually say that they are only looking for fans who were abusing others and/or letting off pyrotechnics, not just everyone that went onto the pitch. Very fair policy IMO.
— The Villa Wiki (@AVFCWiki) May 16, 2018
And a bit of clarification as quite a few fans asked what constituted goading, as fans goad other fans all match long usually. The WM police explained:
There were a number of Fans who entered the field of play and went directly in front of the Middlesbrough fans gesticulating for them to enter the field of play also this is unacceptable and provoked a violent reaction that could have been prevented
— Aston Villa WMPolice (@WMPVillaFC) May 16, 2018
Two top lads, not sure I agree it is ‘our grass’ though. It’s the field of play, not somewhere fans go unless invited.
Its not only our grass it’s all being ripped up this summer anyway
I wasn’t on the pitch myself, but I do love the anarchy, and the sheer outpouring of joy that goes with an invasion. Players seemed to love it too from the photos pic.twitter.com/Z7KSSf8tTX
— Bozzy (@bozzystuff) May 16, 2018
It is inciting violence. It is against the law. Fans were warned beforehand.
— Yorkshire Lions AVFC (@yorkshireAVFC) May 16, 2018
Not sure why, but this little exchange did make me laugh, the response from the Yorkshire Lions is very good!
For having a basic understanding of the law of the land? It is part of being a respectable citizen. Everyone has choices in life…
— Yorkshire Lions AVFC (@yorkshireAVFC) May 16, 2018
Kevin is obviously not a fan of pitch invasions:
Go for it, those so called Villa fans were an embarrassment. #AVFC
— Kevin Hughes (@kevinhughes348) May 16, 2018
Magpie however, just sees it as harmless fun:
Bit of harmless fun man. I don’t gets sanctimonious attitude from people towards their own fans. Invading the pitch in the play offs or whatever is a tradition. Its called joy.
— Magpie Ranger (@NUFC_OurClub) May 16, 2018
Shame you can’t prosecute them all spoiling it for the proper ‘ grown up ‘ fans who can contain themselves
— sharon s (@shel0147) May 16, 2018
It’s probably the 1st time most of them have been in 3 years so they won’t be missed !!
— Robbie (@robbielad51) May 16, 2018
And a final one, I have to agree, the police did line the North Stand and then idly stood by as people went onto the pitch. It seemed a bit odd. If they weren’t going to stop people, there really was no need to be there was there?
The Policing and Stewarding was poor, so obvious where the first incursion was coming from & stewarding should have been bolstered, stop that one and you’d have stopped the rest.
Idiots on the pitch to spoil it for the rest at the end was so wrong, no Wembley tickets for them!!— Jez Heath (@heath_jez) May 16, 2018
And another tweet on a similar theme:
#avfc #utv the male arrested for setting off the pyro in the concourse area at Middlesbrough is currently awaiting the outcome of Cleveland Police investigation and has received a club ban for 3 years precluding him from Wembley
— Aston Villa WMPolice (@WMPVillaFC) May 16, 2018