FA call for inquiry into West Ham-Millwall trouble
FA call for inquiry into West Ham-Millwall trouble
A 44-year-old man was stabbed in football-related violence.

London: The Football Association on Wednesday began an inquiry into the violence that broke out before, during and after West Ham United's 3-1 win over Millwall in the Carling Cup.

A 44-year-old man is in a stable condition after being stabbed in the chest before Tuesday's game, while police made a number of arrests and are studying CCTV footage.

Hundreds of people clashed in the streets outside the ground, while the game was repeatedly held up by pitch invasions.

There are also allegations that West Ham forward Carlton Cole was racially abused.

West Ham and Millwall are bitter rivals, and were both notorious during the 1980s for their hooligan gangs.

Any fan found guilty of offences faces a lifetime ban from attending football matches, while the clubs could also face sanction.

Millwall released a statement on Wednesday which, while vowing to ban any Millwall fan convicted, also queried the security arrangements

"We trust that all aspects of planning and preparation for this match will be thoroughly investigated," it said.

"We will assist fully the FA and other relevant authorities with their ongoing enquiries."

The sports minister Gerry Sutcliffe described the trouble as "a disgrace to football".

Malcolm Clarke, chairman of the Football Supporters' Federation, was due to speak with the FA's chief executive, Ian Watmore, on Wednesday in a routine meeting, and expects the violence to be discussed.

"It's not a good start to the season and it's important a full investigation is done, and the FA are going to do this with all parties to see exactly what caused this," said Clarke.

"But I think at this stage we must keep it in perspective. Certainly over the last 20 years the amount of football violence has radically reduced."

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