EFL condemn Millwall fans for Wembley pitch invasion
Monday 22 May 2017 13:23, UK
The actions of Millwall fans who invaded the pitch after their side's League One play-off final victory over Bradford were "completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated", say the English Football League.
Fans came onto the Wembley pitch at full-time after Steve Morison's late goal ensured the Lions would be returning to the Championship.
The Metropolitan Police made 12 arrests for a variety of offences, some in relation to the pitch invasion, while Morison told Sky Sports that the supporters had "absolutely ruined" the moment for him.
And Bradford boss Stuart McCall said some of the fans had attempted to "goad" himself and his staff.
The EFL said on Monday: "The chorus of disapproval from the majority of Millwall fans forced to witness Saturday's pitch invasion was a stark indication of the feeling inside Wembley Stadium at the end of the League One Play-Off Final but unfortunately it failed to prevent some unsavoury scenes.
"It is a criminal offence to enter the playing area and, whilst some of those who made the decision to break the law did so to celebrate their team's success back to the Championship, a mindless few opted to goad the Bradford City players.
"Their actions were completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated by the EFL.
"The efforts of the Millwall manager and some of his players to remove the offenders from the pitch should be complimented, as should (manager) Neil Harris' appropriate and welcome apology on behalf of his club.
"The EFL will be writing to Stuart McCall and his Bradford team to apologise for the situation they found themselves in."
The EFL has also expressed concern that the supporters were able to make their way onto the pitch in the first place.
The statement added: "The EFL will be encouraging Wembley to work with both the Metropolitan Police and Millwall to identify those whose behaviour created the most concern on the day and to take the necessary and appropriate action.
"The EFL will also raise a number of concerns with Wembley as to how the fans were not only able to access the playing area but then able to get so close to the Bradford City team, who showed great restraint given an incredibly challenging and difficult situation.
"We cannot allow a set of circumstances to exist where the playing area becomes an appropriate place for fans to celebrate and Wembley, like stadiums across the country, have to be prepared to deal with the type of events that emerged on Saturday efficiently and effectively so as to ensure there is no repeat."
