Football Association to probe coin throwing incidents at QPR and Stoke

Coin throwing incidents at Loftus Road and the Britannia Stadium on Saturday will be investigated by the Football Association.

QPR are already to looking into reports that a coin was thrown at their players during the 2-0 Championship win over Birmingham in west London.

While similar scenes at Stoke during the 2-1 victory over Aston Villa, where an object was allegedly hurled at the hosts' goalkeeper Jack Butland, are also being acted on by the governing body.

An FA spokesman said: "We are aware of the incidents at Stoke and Queens Park Rangers and looking into them." 

Stoke confirmed on Sunday afternoon they were investigating the events concerning Butland being struck by an object it and that they would be liaising with police and examining CCTV footage to try to identify the culprit(s).

The alleged incident at Rangers on Saturday afternoon took place when players were celebrating Junior Hoilett's penalty after 39 minutes for the home side.

QPR had taken the lead through Tjaronn Chery four minutes earlier but it was Hoilett's penalty that sparked the reported incident with the coin allegedly thrown at the celebrating players from an away supporters' section of the stadium.

Rangers said they were "aware" of the incident through a statement, adding: "A coin from the School End stand, in which the visiting supporters were situated, was thrown towards the Rangers players as the Rs celebrated their second goal.

"The club will continue to review video footage and liaise with the Metropolitan and West Midlands police. The club will be making no further comment at this time."

A Birmingham spokesman added: "If anybody is found to have thrown a coin we will take the strongest possible action. As a club we utterly condemn that sort of behaviour.

"We will be liaising with the relevant bodies, including West Midlands Police, to investigate such allegations."

A week ago West Brom's Chris Brunt suffered a cut under his eye after one of his team's own fans threw a coin at him following their FA Cup defeat at Reading.

Police have made an arrest in connection with that matter.