FA to investigate crowd trouble incidents

The Football Association today announced investigations into two separate incidents of crowd trouble at weekend matches.

Seven people were arrested at Luton yesterday after home fans invaded the pitch and threw missiles including coins at visiting York players, and hurled brooms and mops at police.

There was also trouble at Hillsborough on Sunday where fans clashed on the pitch after the 2-2 draw confirmed Sheffield Wednesday's relegation and Crystal Palace's survival in the Championship.

The FA will contact both clubs and local authorities to collect information and evidence relating to the allegations. FA crowd control advisors were present at both fixtures and their reports into these matters have been received.

An FA spokesperson said: "The FA does not condone disorder either outside or inside football stadia and thankfully such problems remain infrequent in the modern game.

"However, any individuals identified as having taken part in any form of disorder should be dealt with appropriately by the authorities and issued with football banning orders as they simply have no place in our game."

Luton supporters invaded the pitch after their team lost 1-0 to York in the Blue Square Premier play-off semi-final second leg.

Six of the seven arrested have been bailed and seventh person - a Scandinavian man due to fly home today - will be taken to court or released before he leaves.

Stewards and police had to help York's players to escape to the dressing rooms, via the away end, as missiles were thrown.

The violence then spilled over to nearby Dunstable Road, where a small number of fans attacked police with mops and brooms they found outside a DIY store. A number of police officers received minor injuries.

Luton chairman Nick Owen described the clashes as "absolutely dreadful".

He told Sky Sports News: "One or two of our fans have let the club down. To be honest, it's shattering."

A spokesman for South Yorkshire Police said arrests were made at Hillsborough for public order and assault offences.

Sheffield Wednesday supporters were involved in disorder outside the ground just after the game and police vehicles and nearby property were damaged.

Fans of both sides invaded the pitch after the final whistle and had to be separated by police, and Palace defender Clint Hill required the protection of stewards as he went into the tunnel.