VIDEO. Football: projectile throwing, fights in the stands… an English Cup match interrupted

De violents affrontements dans les tribunes. MAXPPP – Bradley Collyer

Incidents involving supporters broke out as the end of the derby between West Bromwich Albion (D2) and Wolverhampton approached on Sunday in the FA Cup, leading the referee to suspend the match shortly after the visitors' second goal.

The referee stopped the game a few seconds after Wolverhampton increased their advantage to 2-0 thanks to Matheus Cunha (78th), author of a passionate celebration in front of the stand where his supporters were massed.

In the process, a fight broke out on the opposite side of the stadium, in another filled with West Bromwich Albion fans, according to images broadcast by ITV. The police and security guards intervened and, in the confusion generated, the referee decided to send the players back to the locker room.

Police trying to restore order at The Hawthorns 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿👊 pic.twitter.com/QRxPnIXFf0

— Football Fights (@footbalIfights) January 28, 2024

People entered the pitch to get away from the violence, a man was evacuated with a bloody face and defender Kyle Bartley came to shelter members of his family, including two children who were near the unrest, noted an AFP photographer.

Earlier in the game, a Wolverhampton player was targeted by projectile jets, including plastic bottles, when taking a corner. The two rival clubs from the West Midlands, separated by around fifteen kilometers, had not faced each other in front of a public since 2012.

The start of the trouble West Brom v Wolves 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿👊pic.twitter.com/Pqjn1p70Kk

— Football Fights (@footbalIfights) January 28, 2024

The meeting resumed after a half-hour interruption, while the situation calmed down and the players warmed up.

Their rivalry, one of the strongest in the kingdom, is known as the "Black Country Derby", in reference to the smoke from the foundries and forges visible at the end of the 19th century in this industrial region of central England.