Manchester City and Wigan Athletic have been charged for failing to control their players during Monday’s FA Cup fifth round match in which the third-tier side pulled off a huge shock by winning 1-0 at the DW Stadium. Players from both teams were involved in a clash after City midfielder Fabian Delph was sent off in the 45th minute for a sliding challenge on Max Power. The clubs have until Friday to respond to the FA charge.
Wigan beat the runaway Premier League leaders with a late goal from talismanic striker Will Grigg.
Both clubs have also been asked for their observations regarding the crowd trouble at the end of the game and have until February 20 to respond. British media reported that City’s Argentina striker Sergio Aguero would not face any disciplinary action over his post-match confrontation with a fan.
Wigan said they will conduct a full investigation after some ugly scenes following the final whistle, with missiles thrown and fans hurling advertising boards onto the pitch.
“Whilst we appreciate that the vast majority of supporters who ran onto the pitch did so spontaneously to celebrate a famous victory, we were disappointed with the action of a minority of supporters who acted in an inappropriate manner,” Wigan chief executive Jonathan Jackson said in a statement.
“Player and staff safety is of paramount importance and we will conduct a full investigation. “However, it is important to not let the actions of a few supporters detract from an incredible night at the DW Stadium. A special atmosphere was created by both sets of supporters and the match was yet another memorable day in the history of Wigan Athletic.”
Wigan, who will next host Southampton in the quarter-finals, beat City 1-0 in the 2013 FA Cup final and knocked them out in the sixth round of the competition the following season.
City striker Sergio Aguero became involved in a physical exchange with a Wigan supporter as thousands of fans spilled onto the pitch following the League One side’s 1-0 victory.
TV footage of the chaos at the DW Stadium appeared to show Aguero raising his arm to push away the fan and later having to be restrained. It is understood Aguero claims he was spat at. A number of fans also headed towards the end where City supporters were sitting to continue celebrations, sparking further disturbances..
Advertising hoardings were ripped out and thrown onto the pitch along with other objects, while missiles were also thrown from the pitch into the stand. There were also clashes between fans and police and stewards. Police made two arrests on suspicion of affray following an incident outside the ground.
“While we appreciate that the vast majority of supporters who ran on to the pitch did so spontaneously to celebrate a famous victory, we were disappointed with the action of a minority of supporters who acted in an inappropriate manner,” said Wigan chief executive Jonathan Jackson.
“Player and staff safety is of paramount importance and we will conduct a full investigation.” Chief Superintendent Stuart Ellison of Greater Manchester Police said such behaviour would not be tolerated.
“As soon as people were on the pitch, we immediately deployed our resources to the front of the stands, where they were able to keep the two groups of supporters apart and prevent any further disruption,” he said.
Police added in a statement that no injuries had been reported. The Football Association is assessing the situation but is yet to say whether either club will be investigated. The report of referee Anthony Taylor and video footage will be taken into account.
The governing body could also look into a confrontation between City manager Pep Guardiola and his Wigan counterpart Paul Cook. The pair exchanged heated words after City’s Fabian Delph was sent off late in the first half.
Their argument continued in the tunnel after the sides left the field at half-time and television pictures showed Guardiola having to be held back by colleagues. Guardiola later played down that incident, suggesting he had been annoyed that Cook had left his technical area.
“Nothing happened in the tunnel, nothing happened with my colleague,” the Spaniard said. “It was just ‘please stay in your position’, that’s all, and then finished.” Wigan’s victory, courtesy of a 79th-minute strike from Will Grigg, ended City’s historic quest for a quadruple.
Manchester City fans throw advertising boarding as they clash with police officers after the FA Cup match against Wigan at at the DW Stadium in Wigan. (Reuters)
