- Southampton beat West Brom to reach the Championship play-off final on Friday
- But, the clash was marred by fan trouble and three people have been arrested
- CHRIS SUTTON: Fans are sick and tired of VAR… but it’s here to stay – Listen to the It’s All Kicking Off podcast
Three people have been arrested as a result of incidents at the Championship play-off semi-final clash between Southampton and West Brom on Friday night.
The Saints won 3-1 at St Mary’s to secure a place at Wembley in the play-off final, where they will take on Leeds next Sunday.
However, the match – which came after Sunday’s first leg was drawn 0-0 – was marred by nasty post-match scenes when several Southampton fans invaded the pitch to celebrate.
Many made their way over to the away end and they were involved in clashes with West Brom supporters as they goaded them following their victory.
Yet, the game was hampered by fan trouble throughout, with Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary revealing on Saturday morning that three fans had been arrested due to events at the match.
Three fans have been arrested after incidents at Southampton’s game with West Brom
The clash was marred by ugly full-time scenes when Southampton fans pitch invaded and ran towards the away end, but the three confirmed arrests relate to incidents during the game
In a statement they said: ‘The vast majority of fans attending Southampton’s match vs West Brom yesterday evening, both at the stadium itself and in venues throughout city, did so responsibly and respectfully.
‘But there were however a minority contingent of fans from both clubs who sought to engage in public order offences including entering the pitch during the match.’
They went onto explain that a 27-year-old man and a 26-year-old man from Southampton had been arrested ‘on suspicion of going on to the pitch during the match’.
Meanwhile, a 24-year-old man from Southampton was also arrested on ‘suspicion of using threatening, abusive and insulting words and behaviour, to cause harassment, alarm, distress, common assault of an emergency worker and obstructing and resisting a constable in execution of their duties.’
In regards to the ugly scenes at full-time, thousands of home fans had invaded the pitch to celebrate their side’s achievement.
However, many appeared to make a beeline for away supporters before goading them as the atmosphere turned toxic.
Footage from social media seemed to show a missile being thrown into a crowd on the pitch from what looked to be the away end, with a supporter throwing another into the stands.
Other footage showed stewards and police holding back Southampton fans from getting to the away end, with chants of ‘Albion’ heard in response.
In photos, fans from the away end could then be seen trying to get onto the pitch.
At his post-match press conference, Saints boss Russell Martin condemned the actions of his side’s supporters and said they had ‘let themselves down’.
Fans clashed at full-time as Southampton supporters goaded those in the away end
Chants of ‘Albion’ could be heard in videos shared on social media by those in attendance
Saints boss Russell Martin condemned the ugly scenes and said it could ‘tarnish the night’
‘I haven’t seen it but I think it’s unnecessary and I’m pretty sure it will be a real, real minority,’ he said.
‘Our fans were amazing tonight. For those who did do that, if it tarnishes the night we’ve had and the win we’ve had and getting to Wembley in any way then they’ve let themselves down.
‘But hopefully it was really very few people and hopefully the majority had a brilliant night, and they were great.
‘Tonight was a beautiful moment for us. But we have the chance to have the biggest and best, an even better moment next week so we have to make sure that’s the case.’
