Chelsea Football Club have confirmed that they will ban supporters for life if they can be identified as the fans who threw coins at Manchester City players during the club’s fifth-round tie at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Manchester City striker David Faupala had coins thrown at him as well as his team-mates as they celebrated their equaliser near to the Chelsea fans. Andre Marriner, the match referee, retrieved several objects from the pitch after the goal celebrations.
A Chelsea spokesman said, “We condemn such idiotic and dangerous behaviour. It is also worth stating this is a criminal offence and we will support any police prosecution if they can be identified”. How easy it will be for the club to identify who was responsible for the incident remains to be seen.
On Saturday West Bromwich Albion’s forward Chris Brunt was struck with a coin just beneath the eye. The incident happened as he went over to throw his shirt to one of the visiting fans after the Midlands club was knocked out of the competition by Reading.
Talking of the incident after the match, Chelsea’s interim manager said, “I saw it and I condemn it strongly and I think Chelsea will react. These people must not come into the stadium”.
He also felt that Manchester City were guilty of disrespecting the competition by making so many changes ahead of the game. Manuel Pellegrini gave five teenagers their Manchester City debuts in the game as he prepared for their Champions League last sixteen tie against Dynamo Kiev, which is coming up on Wednesday.
The Dutchman said, “Many people worldwide are focused on the FA Cup. As a youngster I knew which Saturday was the FA Cup. It is the temple of football worldwide and we must be careful not to devaluate it”.