Police arrest THREE folks after incidents at Championship play-off semi-final conflict between Southampton and West Brom

Three folks have been arrested because of incidents on the Championship play-off semi-final conflict between Southampton and West Brom on Friday evening.

The Saints gained 3-1 at St Mary’s to safe a spot at Wembley within the play-off last, the place they may tackle Leeds subsequent Sunday.

Nevertheless, the match – which got here after Sunday’s first leg was drawn 0-0 – was marred by nasty post-match scenes when a number of Southampton followers invaded the pitch to have fun.

Many made their means over to the away finish and so they have been concerned in clashes with West Brom supporters as they goaded them following their victory.

But, the sport was hampered by fan hassle all through, with Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary revealing on Saturday morning that three followers had been arrested because of occasions on the match.

In an announcement they stated: ‘The overwhelming majority of followers attending Southampton’s match vs West Brom yesterday night, each on the stadium itself and in venues all through metropolis, did so responsibly and respectfully.

‘However there have been nonetheless a minority contingent of followers from each golf equipment who sought to interact in public order offences together with getting into the pitch in the course of the match.’

They went onto clarify {that a} 27-year-old man and a 26-year-old man from Southampton had been arrested ‘on suspicion of occurring to the pitch in the course of the match’.

In the meantime, a 24-year-old man from Southampton was additionally arrested on ‘suspicion of utilizing threatening, abusive and insulting phrases and behavior, to trigger harassment, alarm, misery, widespread assault of an emergency employee and obstructing and resisting a constable in execution of their duties.’ 

With regard to the ugly scenes at full-time, hundreds of residence followers had invaded the pitch to have fun their aspect’s achievement.

Nevertheless, many appeared to make a beeline for away supporters earlier than goading them because the ambiance turned poisonous.

Footage from social media appeared to indicate a missile being thrown right into a crowd on the pitch from what appeared to be the away finish, with a supporter throwing one other into the stands. 

Different footage confirmed stewards and police holding again Southampton followers from attending to the away finish, with chants of ‘Albion’ heard in response.

In pictures, followers from the away finish might then be seen attempting to get onto the pitch.

At his post-match press convention, Saints boss Russell Martin condemned the actions of his aspect’s supporters and stated they’d ‘let themselves down’.

‘I haven’t seen it however I feel it’s pointless and I’m fairly positive it will likely be an actual, actual minority,’ he stated. 

‘Our followers have been wonderful tonight. For many who did do this, if it tarnishes the evening we’ve had and the win we’ve had and attending to Wembley in any means then they’ve let themselves down.

‘However hopefully it was actually only a few folks and hopefully the bulk had an excellent evening, and so they have been nice. 

‘Tonight was a ravishing second for us. However we have now the possibility to have the most important and finest, a fair higher second subsequent week so we have now to ensure that’s the case.’